Zelensky proposes mutual halt of air strikes during Witkoff and Kushner's visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address that Ukraine will refrain from air strikes during an upcoming visit by senior US representatives, and called on Russia to likewise maintain a ceasefire for as long as needed for the talks to take place.

Zelensky revealed that US officials — Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner — will visit Ukraine and Russia in the coming days. According to the president, they will first travel to Moscow, followed by a visit to Kyiv on Sunday.

Preparing for the visit

The Ukrainian president said a meeting had already taken place with the country's broad diplomatic team responsible for relations with the US, as preparations get underway for the visit. Zelensky stressed that, as during previous visits by US delegations, Ukraine will ensure normal operation of Russian airspace so that negotiators can arrive safely.

He explained that this measure is being taken for the safety of the negotiators themselves, not as a favor to Russia.

Witkoff and Kushner have previously visited Moscow on multiple occasions but have not yet made a trip to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.