Russia and Ukraine agree to pause strikes on capitals during US envoys' visit
During a visit by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Russia and Ukraine said they would refrain from airstrikes on Kyiv and Moscow. The limited pause applies only to cities hosting talks, not to the entire front line.
US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow on Saturday for talks with Russian officials, as Russia and Ukraine both announced they would avoid striking each other's capitals during the visit.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Vladimir Putin had ordered Russian forces not to strike Kyiv for three days beginning at midnight on 6 September. Peskov linked the decision to preparations for Witkoff and Kushner's upcoming trip to the Ukrainian capital. Shortly after the Kremlin's announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow until the end of 7 September and also on 8 September. Speaking after a phone call with the US envoys, Zelensky stressed that the commitment applied to airstrikes on cities where negotiations are taking place, not to a full halt of hostilities along the front.
The US delegation's plane landed at Vnukovo airport, where it was met by Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian leader's special representative for investment and economic cooperation. Russian state media reported that Witkoff and Kushner joined Dmitriev for a working lunch at a Moscow restaurant. After their talks in Moscow, the envoys were scheduled to travel to Kyiv, with negotiations expected in the Ukrainian capital on 6 September.
Before the diplomatic meetings, Ukraine had proposed a much broader pause in hostilities from 5 to 8 September. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian president's office, confirmed that Kyiv had offered to suspend both long-range strikes and fighting on the front line, but Moscow had not responded. Russia continued its attacks on Ukraine on 5 September: overnight it launched ballistic missiles and 167 drones against Ukraine, killing at least seven people and wounding at least 51, according to Ukrainian reports.
Particular attention centred on Russian strikes on Kyiv's airport and Boryspil International Airport. Zelensky said Russia had deliberately chosen these targets for the first time after a longer interval, and just before the US delegation was expected to arrive. He noted that both airports had been discussed as possible landing sites for the US envoys in Ukraine. The Ukrainian president added that, after the attacks, Ukraine planned to adjust its operations in Russian airspace from the following week.
The announced pause comes as Russia has intensified attacks on Kyiv and its surroundings in recent weeks. Since late August, Russian forces have repeatedly sent drones toward the Ukrainian capital, leaving only short breaks between waves. The talks scheduled for 6 September in Kyiv are now seen as a key test of whether the latest US diplomatic initiative can lead to a broader cessation of hostilities.
