Putin Orders Three-Day Halt to Airstrikes on Ukraine

The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced today (Saturday) that Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an order not to conduct any airstrikes on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv for three days starting from midnight.

Russian media reported that Putin's directive came as part of preparations for receiving the American delegation.

Receiving the American Delegation

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, envoys of U.S. President Donald Trump, arrived in Moscow today ahead of a scheduled visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv to present a U.S. proposal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev received Witkoff and Kushner at Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport. According to Russian news agency TASS, this marks the first visit by American envoys to Russia since January.

The visit follows days after CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s trip to Moscow. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov praised the "goodwill of the Americans," stating they are ready to continue mediation efforts.

Russian Bombardment of Kyiv Airports

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously stated today that the Russian bombardment of Kyiv’s airports on Friday night was an attempt to disrupt the upcoming U.S. presidential envoys’ visit to Ukraine scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday).

Zelensky wrote on his X account: "It is clear these Russian strikes on the airports are a response to the talks and preparations related to the potential U.S. side’s aerial visit to Ukraine and landing at Kyiv or Boryspil airports. We have noticed this Russian move, and next week we will adjust our operations accordingly regarding the increasingly dangerous Russian air defense, which has become more threatening due to our drones and missiles in the sky. Of course, there will be no threats to diplomacy from our side, and there never will be."