US Envoys Take Ceasefire Proposal to Moscow and Kyiv as Putin Orders Three-Day Pause on Kyiv Strikes

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a three-day halt to strikes on Kyiv starting Saturday night, coinciding with a visit by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv in a new American push to end the war. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the decision was linked to preparations for US contacts in Kyiv. The envoys arrived in Moscow Saturday for talks with Putin before traveling to Kyiv to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump said they carry a proposal to end the war without disclosing details. Ukraine accused Russia of continuing air attacks during the proposed ceasefire, with the Russian defense ministry announcing strikes on several Ukrainian regions including Kyiv's area Friday night. Russian officials downplayed expectations of rapid progress, citing disagreements over settlement terms. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said success depends on Washington's readiness for a "real solution" reflecting ground realities. The visit follows a rare Moscow trip by CIA Director John Ratcliffe over a week earlier.