TL;DR

• <h2>Hope Emerges as Putin Halts Kyiv Strikes for US Peace Envoys</h2><p>Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a three-day halt to strikes on Kyiv, effective Saturday, a move coinciding with the arrival of US special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow. The diplomatic push aims to revive efforts to end the war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, offering a moment of relief amidst ongoing hostilities.</p><p>Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin is scheduled to meet the two US envoys on Saturday. Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Moscow for discussions on the conflict, with Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev meeting the delegation. Dmitriev has previously participated in meetings between Putin and US representatives, maintaining contact with American negotiators.</p><p>The visit follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement on Friday that Washington had a "fresh, concrete proposal" intended to end the war. Trump, without detailing the plan, stated he had sent Witkoff and Kushner, whom he described as "two great negotiators," to assess the potential for progress. "We have an idea for peace," Trump said, adding, "And there may be a good chance that we’ll do it."</p><p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that the US envoys are expected to travel to Ukraine after their Moscow meetings. Kyiv had also proposed a temporary suspension of air attacks during the visit, urging Russia to reciprocate to ensure the safety of the talks.</p><blockquote>Just as we did during previous diplomatic visits by the American side, we will ensure the normal functioning of Russian airspace so that the negotiators can arrive safely. There will be no air strikes from our side, and Russia must do the same, ensuring there are no air strikes from its side for the time needed to hold these talks and handle the logistical matters related to this American visit.</blockquote><p>This diplomatic initiative comes after a significant escalation in aerial attacks. A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s SBU security service in Kyiv on Friday, one of the most prominent targets hit during the conflict. Zelenskyy had vowed retaliation. Overnight, Russian attacks elsewhere in Ukraine killed four people in the Dnipropetrovsk region, with several others wounded in the Kyiv and Mykolaiv regions. Ukraine’s Air Force reported shooting down or suppressing 128 Russian drones, while Russia claimed its forces destroyed 53 Ukrainian drones.</p><p>The latest push for peace unfolds amid stalled negotiations and minimal movement on the battlefield. Russia continues to demand that Ukraine cede territory in four regions claimed by Moscow and abandon its NATO ambitions, a position the Kremlin has described as "unshakeable." Both sides have also intensified long-range strikes deep inside each other’s territory.</p><p>The outcome of Witkoff and Kushner’s meetings, first with Putin in Moscow and subsequently with Ukrainian officials, will be crucial in determining whether this latest US initiative can forge a renewed negotiating track and narrow the differences between the warring parties.</p>