Ukraine War To End? After Zelensky, Putin Orders 72-Hour Pause In Kyiv Strikes

(MENAFN- Live Mint) Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a 72-hour suspension of strikes on Kyiv as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner travel between Moscow and Kyiv in an effort to revive stalled negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

The pause in attacks on the Ukrainian capital will begin at midnight, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russia's Tass news agency on Saturday. The announcement came as Russian and Ukrainian forces have continued to exchange intensified aerial attacks.

“Putin has ordered that no strikes be carried out against Kyiv for three days, starting at midnight today,” Peskov said.

Putin orders 72-hour pause in strikes on Kyiv

Quick answers to key questions

.5 QUESTIONS1What did Putin announce regarding airstrikes on Kyiv?⌵

Putin announced a 72-hour pause in airstrikes on Kyiv, starting at midnight, coinciding with the arrival of US envoys for peace talks.

2Why did Ukraine propose a temporary ceasefire during the US envoys' visit?⌵

Ukraine proposed a ceasefire to facilitate peaceful negotiations, requesting that Russia reciprocate by halting its own airstrikes during the talks.

3How will the US envoys' visit impact the Ukraine war efforts?⌵

The US envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, aim to present proposals for a peace agreement, but expectations for significant progress are low given past failed attempts.

4Should Russia respond to the ceasefire proposal during US negotiations?⌵

It is crucial for Russia to reciprocate the ceasefire proposal to create a conducive environment for meaningful discussions and potential resolutions.

5What was the context of the increased airstrikes before the announced pause?⌵

Before the announced pause, there was an escalation in Russian airstrikes targeting various Ukrainian regions, indicating the intensity of the conflict leading up to the peace talks.

Peskov linked the temporary halt directly to preparations for the US delegation's diplomatic efforts. Witkoff, a US envoy, and Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, arrived in Moscow on Saturday as Washington seeks to restart negotiations over the conflict.

The Kremlin's announcement followed an appeal from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for Moscow to suspend its own air attacks while the US representatives conduct their diplomatic mission.

Zelenskyy had said Ukraine would halt airstrikes during the envoys' visit and called on Russia to reciprocate. Moscow had not publicly responded to that proposal before Putin ordered the 72-hour pause.

(More to come...)

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