Russia's President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief has ordered a three-day cessation of attacks on Kyiv, effective from midnight tonight. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced this on 5/9, stating the decision facilitates the preparation and conduct of negotiations by US envoys in Kyiv.

Prior to this, two US envoys, Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, and Steve Witkoff, arrived in Moskva for discussions on the Ukraine conflict. According to Peskov, President Vladimir Putin was scheduled to meet the two US envoys at the Kremlin later on 5/9.

Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in May. Photo: AFP

President Trump announced on 4/9 that Washington possesses a new specific proposal to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, now in its fifth year. While the White House chief did not disclose the proposal's specifics, he stated that Witkoff and Kushner would deliver the peace initiative to Moskva and Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on 4/9 that the two US envoys would depart Moskva and fly to Kyiv on 6/9. Their air travel to the Ukrainian capital is highly unusual, given that Ukrainian airspace has been closed since 2022 due to the conflict, and foreign leaders typically arrive in Kyiv by train from Poland.

In a social media X post on 5/9, Zelensky reported that Russia had attacked two Ukrainian airports just before the US envoys' visit. Concurrently, Russia's Defense Ministry announced that 53 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) had entered Russian airspace on 5/9, a figure significantly below the average recorded in recent months.

Russian Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev (center) greets Jared Kushner (left) and US envoy Steve Witkoff (right) at Vnukovo International Airport in Moskva on 5/9. Photo: X/Kirill Dmitriev

The US President has repeatedly expressed his intent to mediate an end to the Ukraine conflict. However, his efforts to bring Moskva and Kyiv to an agreement have faced challenges, as the two sides have yet to find common ground.

President Putin stated that Russia is open to additional parties joining Ukraine negotiations if they can offer substantial contributions, but will reject "meaningless formal diplomacy". The Russian leader specifically cited envoys Kushner and Witkoff, describing them as "sincere dialogue partners and always welcome guests".

Since the last peace talks in February, both sides have intensified long-range airstrikes deep into each other's territory, alongside escalating naval engagements. On the ground, front lines have largely remained static, with Russia achieving only minor advances in its bid to fully control the Donbass region.

Huyen Le (According to AFP, Reuters)