Russian President Vladimir Putin orders a 72-hour pause in strikes on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, with the Kremlin saying the halt starts at midnight and runs for three days. Several outlets report Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov makes the announcement, citing a suspension of attacks specifically against Kyiv.
The pause is linked to diplomatic engagement involving U.S. representatives. Sources say the timing aligns with the arrival of U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow and with related preparations for a planned visit to Kyiv for peace talks. PBS also frames the move against a broader backdrop of ongoing aerial attacks as both sides continue fighting.
While all outlets agree on the existence and duration of the strike pause and its Kremlin attribution, they vary in emphasis: some foreground the start time (“midnight”), others focus on the envoys’ arrival and meeting activity, and others situate the decision within the wider cycle of escalation and diplomacy.
