From BBC News · · 1 min
US Envoys Meet Putin in High-Stakes Peace Push
Trump negotiators visit Moscow and Kyiv as Russia and Ukraine pause capital strikes for talks.
In brief
Trump negotiators visit Moscow and Kyiv as Russia and Ukraine pause capital strikes for talks. A temporary halt on capital strikes opens a narrow diplomatic window as US negotiators shuttle between Moscow and Kyiv. Originally reported by BBC News.
US envoys meet Putin
Donald Trump’s peace negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in Moscow for three hours of talks to discuss a proposed plan to end the war.
“In any case, whatever happens, such contacts are undoubtedly always useful.”
Capital strikes paused for talks
Both sides agreed to a three-day pause on strikes against each other's capitals, Moscow and Kyiv, to ensure safety during the diplomatic engagements.
“Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow, and we expect the Russians to do the same regarding Kyiv.”
US team heads to Kyiv
Following discussions in the Kremlin, the envoys are traveling to Ukraine for their first direct peace talks in Kyiv with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“The plan for tomorrow's diplomatic engagements in Kyiv, involving the US team, has been approved.”
Strikes continue outside capitals
Hours before the envoys' arrival, Russian strikes hit Ukrainian targets, including airports near Kyiv and a civilian building in Dnipro that killed four people.
Deep divisions over key issues
Despite stepped-up American diplomacy, previous peace initiatives have stalled over core disagreements on territorial control and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Fighting intensifies across borders
Both nations have ramped up air attacks in recent months, with Ukraine targeting Russian economic infrastructure while struggling against Russian ballistic missile strikes.
What to remember
A temporary halt on capital strikes opens a narrow diplomatic window as US negotiators shuttle between Moscow and Kyiv.
