Putin offers three-day Kyiv strike pause after Zelensky ceasefire pitch.

Kremlin’s temporary pause coincides with Trump envoys’ Ukraine visit seeking a proposal to end war.

Putin Orders Three-Day Pause in Strikes on Kyiv Ahead of US Envoys’ Visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a temporary three-day halt to Russian strikes on Kyiv, just as Ukraine prepares to receive two senior US envoys carrying a proposal aimed at finding a possible path toward ending the war.

The Kremlin announced the pause on Saturday, saying the order would take effect from midnight. The timing is significant because US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are travelling to Ukraine for high-level discussions as fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin, who is also Russia’s commander in chief, had ordered Russian forces not to strike Kyiv for three days.

“The Russian president and commander in chief… has given the order not to strike Kyiv for three days from midnight tonight,” Peskov said.

The temporary pause comes at a tense moment. Russia and Ukraine have both stepped up their aerial attacks in recent days, with missiles and drones continuing to threaten cities and critical infrastructure.

For residents of Kyiv, even a short break from air raids could offer some relief. But with the wider conflict still active, the pause is being closely watched for what it might mean for the diplomatic effort.

Zelensky had proposed a temporary ceasefire

Before Moscow announced its pause, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had called for a temporary halt to air strikes.

On Friday, Zelensky proposed that Ukraine stop its own air attacks if Russia agreed to do the same. He suggested that the period of silence could provide a safer environment for negotiations and help resolve logistical issues connected to the visit by the American envoys.

“There will be no air strikes from our side, and Russia must mirror this by ensuring silence without its air strikes for the time needed to hold these negotiations and resolve the logistical issues associated with this American visit,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky also made clear that Kyiv was looking to hear what Witkoff and Kushner would bring to the table. He said Ukraine wanted “real options” for ending a war that has dragged on for years.

“We’ll see what proposals Steve and Jared have and what Moscow will say to them,” Zelensky wrote.

His comments reflect the difficult balance facing Kyiv: keeping up military pressure while remaining open to negotiations that could potentially bring the conflict closer to an end.

Strikes have intensified

The latest developments come after a period of increasingly heavy aerial attacks.

Russia has recently increased daytime strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly reported attacks affecting civilian areas, adding to concerns about casualties and damage to vital facilities.

On Friday, a Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service in Kyiv. The building is considered one of the most important security facilities in the Ukrainian capital.

The agency has also played a role in operations targeting locations deep inside Russia, making it a significant military and intelligence target.

The three-day pause does not amount to a wider ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Fighting elsewhere can continue, and both sides remain far apart on several major issues.

Still, the timing gives the upcoming US diplomatic mission an added importance. Witkoff and Kushner will arrive as both sides are under pressure to find a way forward.

For ordinary Ukrainians, the hope is simple: that even a temporary pause can create space for serious talks and, eventually, a lasting end to the fighting.

Key points

Putin ordered a three-day pause in Russian strikes on Kyiv .
The pause is scheduled to begin from midnight Saturday .
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are visiting Ukraine.
The envoys are expected to discuss proposals aimed at ending the war .
Zelensky had earlier proposed a temporary mutual halt to air strikes .
Ukraine said it was ready to stop air attacks if Russia did the same.
Russia and Ukraine have both intensified aerial attacks in recent days.
A Russian drone reportedly struck Ukraine’s Security Service headquarters in Kyiv.
The temporary pause is not a broader ceasefire across the war.
The upcoming US visit could provide a new opportunity for diplomatic negotiations .