Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a three-day cease-fire in the ongoing war in Ukraine, coinciding with the arrival of Jared Kushner and US envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow for peace talks.
Putin ordered a halt to strikes on Kyiv beginning at midnight Saturday, a decision attributed to the preparations for American engagement in the capital, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, as reported by Russia's TASS news agency.
Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, and Witkoff arrived at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport on Saturday and were met by Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian presidential envoy. Witnesses observed their motorcade proceeding towards the city center.
Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport welcomed Jared Kushner, Russia’s presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev, and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on September 5, 2026.
This visit follows a stop in Moscow by CIA Director John Ratcliffe on August 25 and signals renewed efforts by the United States to broker an end to the protracted fighting.
Kushner and Witkoff are also scheduled to travel to Kyiv on Sunday for meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This marks their first visit to the Ukrainian capital.
President Trump expressed optimism on Friday regarding the potential for his intermediaries to facilitate an end to the conflict, which has now surpassed four years. "We have an idea for peace," Trump stated. "We sent them over to see whether or not we can get something done. And there may be a good chance that we’ll do it."
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on January 22, 2026.
