Zelensky proposes aerial ceasefire with Russia during US envoy talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday he proposed a ceasefire with Russia during the latest round of negotiations involving US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are visiting Moscow and Kyiv. Ukraine would suspend aerial attacks for the duration of the talks, he said. Zelensky stated Kyiv would halt its air strikes if Russia reciprocally guarantees a ceasefire without aerial attacks for the time needed to conduct negotiations. Russia has not confirmed the envoys' visit to Moscow. The war, which began with Russia's February 2022 invasion, continues without a definitive military solution, with fighting concentrated in eastern and southern Ukraine. Recent days saw Ukrainian reports of Russian drone attacks, including a September 3 strike on a Coca-Cola factory and a September 1 attack killing 12 people.