Ukraine reportedly told to hold fire while Witkoff and Kushner visit Moscow
Ukraine's military has reportedly been ordered to cease fire along the front from September 5 to 8, coinciding with a Moscow and Kyiv visit by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Ukrainian authorities have not officially confirmed the order.
According to Ukrainska Pravda, which cites sources within several Ukrainian brigades stationed across different front sectors as well as a senior figure in the country's security establishment, Ukraine's armed forces have been instructed to halt fire from midnight on September 5 through 11:59 p.m. on September 8. Kyiv has not made any official statement confirming this directive.
Zelensky's pledge
On the evening of September 4, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would guarantee the "normal functioning of Russian airspace" while US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner travel to Moscow. He added that Russia should likewise suspend its airstrikes for the duration of talks between Kyiv and Washington.
Zelensky stated that, just as during earlier diplomatic trips by American officials, Ukraine would keep Russian airspace safe so the negotiators could arrive without incident, stressing that this concern was for the visiting officials rather than for Russia itself, and that no Ukrainian airstrikes would take place.
The Kremlin has not responded publicly to Zelensky's proposal.
Visit timeline
Witkoff and Kushner are due to arrive in Moscow on September 5, with a follow-up stop in Kyiv planned for the next day.
