Russian President Vladimir Putin held discussions with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin in an effort to reinvigorate efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Both sides had recently escalated their aerial assaults, prompting a temporary agreement between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to suspend attacks on each other’s capitals during the talks.
The U.S. initiative to end the hostilities has faced setbacks due to the nation’s focus on the Iran conflict in the past six months. The previous meeting between Witkoff, Kushner, and Putin took place in January. The envoys are scheduled to visit Kyiv as part of the peace process.
During the Moscow meeting, Putin conveyed his regards and appreciation to former U.S. President Donald Trump through Kushner and Witkoff. The Russian leader characterized the situation in Ukraine as complex, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country on February 24, 2022.
Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that Putin had ordered a three-day cessation of strikes on Kyiv, starting at midnight. Zelenskyy reciprocated by agreeing to refrain from strikes on Moscow until Monday. The U.S. delegation engaged in discussions with Ukrainian officials after landing in Moscow.
As peace negotiations stall, Russia has intensified its attacks on Kyiv and other urban centers, taking advantage of Ukraine’s limited air defense capabilities. Ukrainian retaliatory strikes have targeted Russian military installations, oil refineries, and economic hubs to undermine the Kremlin’s war efforts and economy.
The conflict has seen an escalation in the use of fast-flying drones by both sides, with air-raid sirens becoming a common occurrence in Kyiv. Zelenskyy attributed recent Russian strikes on Kyiv and Boryspil airports to the impending U.S. visit, signaling a potential shift in Ukraine’s operations to counter Russian threats in the airspace.
The violence has resulted in casualties on both sides, with attacks on industrial facilities and residential areas causing significant damage and loss of life. The ongoing clashes have impacted civilian populations and escalated tensions between the two nations.
Efforts to de-escalate the situation and resume peace talks remain uncertain as the conflict continues to intensify on various fronts. Both Russia and Ukraine are grappling with the consequences of the prolonged conflict, with no immediate resolution in sight.