US Envoys Visit Kiev as 72-Hour Truce Holds, Zelensky Urges Peace Talks

A 72-hour truce is underway as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kiev, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stating that "peace is necessary." The visit marks their first to Ukraine since President Donald Trump's mandate began. The US envoys met with Zelensky and his negotiating team at the Saint Sophia Cathedral complex, following a three-hour Moscow meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The White House said "substantial plans" for peace were discussed, while the Kremlin described the talks as "extremely frank." Pope Francis expressed hope that negotiations on Ukraine would bear fruit and urged openness to dialogue. Zelensky affirmed Ukraine's readiness for constructive engagement, emphasizing the need for security guarantees and a dignified post-war peace.