U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow on Saturday. They aim to revive talks to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Their visit comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a three-day ceasefire in strikes on Kyiv, starting at midnight. This ceasefire follows Ukraine's proposal for a pause in fighting ahead of the talks.
Key Details
Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed the ceasefire. He said, "Indeed, such information was received from the Ukrainian side." The U.S. envoys are expected to meet with Putin later in the day, according to Axios. President Donald Trump stated that the envoys were bringing a proposal to end the war, but he did not share details. Trump called Witkoff and Kushner "two great negotiators" tasked with finding a solution to the conflict.
Background
Despite the ceasefire, there are still major gaps between Russia and Ukraine on peace terms. Russia demands that Ukraine give up control of four regions claimed by Moscow and not join NATO. Ukraine finds these demands unacceptable. Witkoff and Kushner will also visit Kyiv, marking their first trip to the Ukrainian capital since becoming special envoys. Previous peace talks have stalled amid rising violence and a shifting U.S. focus to other conflicts.
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The ceasefire could lead to temporary stabilization in Eastern European markets. This is especially true for sectors sensitive to geopolitical tensions, like energy and defense. Investors may respond to any news from the peace talks, particularly regarding possible concessions from either side. Stay tuned for updates on the negotiations and any official statements from the U.S. or Russian governments.
Based on reporting by: theguardian.com, politico.eu