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Russia and Ukraine Agree to Pause Capital Strikes as US Envoys Arrive in Moscow
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to pause strikes on each other's capitals as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow for talks aimed at reviving peace efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also announced a halt to Ukrainian airstrikes during the visit, while a Russian drone strike on Kyiv's SBU headquarters raised tensions.
By Tertius News AI Desk5 outlets · 7 publishers · 9 articlesCoverage Published v3
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Russia and Ukraine agreed on Saturday to pause strikes on each other's capitals as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow to try to revive negotiations to end Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered that no strikes be carried out against Kyiv for three days, starting at midnight, according to presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who spoke to Russia's Tass news agency. Peskov said the decision was linked to the planned visit of Witkoff and Kushner to the Ukrainian capital, which Kyiv has said will take place on Sunday.
The US envoys, who serve as President Donald Trump's special representatives, were met at the airport in Moscow by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, according to Tass. Peskov confirmed that Witkoff and Kushner would meet Putin during their visit but said there was "no talk of new ideas" to end the conflict.
Hours before their arrival, Trump told reporters that Witkoff and Kushner were bringing "a proposal to end the war" but did not provide details, including whether it involved Ukraine ceding territory to Russia, as he has previously suggested.
Zelenskyy had announced earlier on Friday that Witkoff and Kushner would travel to Ukraine on Sunday following talks in Moscow. The envoys have not visited Kyiv since Trump's reelection last year, and recent media reports had questioned whether they would make the trip.
The visit comes as both sides escalate aerial attacks, some 4 1/2 years after Russia's invasion. On Friday, a Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) in central Kyiv. Zelenskyy accused Moscow of directly targeting the personal office of the SBU chief and said he had ordered "an appropriate, tangible response and, where possible, one that mirrors this strike."
In a separate development, Zelenskyy accused Russia of striking Kyiv and Boryspil international airports before the planned US visit, saying the attacks were a response to discussions about possible US travel arrangements.
The Kremlin reiterated Putin's "unshakeable" position demanding Ukraine cede territory and abandon NATO membership plans, as reported by NewsBytes.
Meanwhile, on the ground, Russian attacks killed five people and wounded five more at an industrial facility in Ukraine's southern Dnipropetrovsk region, according to local military administration head Oleksandr Hanzha. Russia's Ministry of Defense said it had carried out strikes on two metallurgical plants in the region. Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched ballistic missiles and deployed 167 attack drones overnight, while Russia's Ministry of Defense said its forces had shot down 53 Ukrainian drones.
Ukrainian attacks wounded three people, including a 14-year-old girl, in Russia's border region of Belgorod, local officials said.
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Framing: Emphasizes Russia's pause on strikes against Kyiv during Ukraine talks.
Facts Included:
Russia will pause strikes against Kyiv for three days, starting at midnight today, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are leading peace negotiations, and they arrived in Moscow on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump said he was sending Kushner and Witkoff to Moscow and Kyiv with a proposal to end the conflict.
Zelenskyy announced that Kushner and Witkoff would visit Ukraine on Sunday following talks in Moscow.
A Russian drone hit the headquarters of Ukraine's domestic security service (SBU) in Kyiv on Friday.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the strike 'a major escalation' and wrote on X: 'Moscow launched this strike during a renewed push for peace — laying bare its true rejection of diplomacy.'
Zelenskyy said he ordered 'an appropriate, tangible response and, where possible, one that mirrors this strike.'
Ukraine has also launched repeated drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure and the retail giant Wildberries.
Framing: The headline emphasizes the US envoys' travel to Russia and Ukraine carrying a plan to end the war, highlighting the diplomatic initiative. — Measured and largely neutral, with a slight undertone of caution regarding the prospects for peace.
Facts Included:
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow to try to revive talks to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, local media reported Saturday.
The envoys were met at the airport by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s state news agency Tass said.
US President Donald Trump said he was sending his son-in-law Kushner and businessman Witkoff to Moscow and Kyiv with a proposal to end the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that Kushner and Witkoff would visit Ukraine on Sunday following talks in Moscow.
Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram that Ukraine would halt airstrikes during the negotiations and called on Moscow to do the same.
Zelenskyy said: "As with previous diplomatic visits by the American side, we will ensure the normal functioning of Russian airspace so that the negotiators can arrive safely. We are concerned about their safety, not about Russia."
On Wednesday, Putin described negotiations as "frozen."
A Russian drone hit the headquarters of Ukraine's domestic security service (SBU) in Kyiv on Friday.
Sybiha wrote on X: "Moscow launched this strike during a renewed push for peace — laying bare its true rejection of diplomacy."
Zelenskyy said he ordered "an appropriate, tangible response and, where possible, one that mirrors this strike."
Ukraine has also launched repeated drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure and the retail giant Wildberries.
Trump had promised to end the war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, on his first day back in office, but has more recently said that the feat was more complicated than expected.
In the past, he has blamed Ukraine for the Russian invasion and a "personality problem" between the countries' leaders for the continued fighting.
Framing: The headline emphasizes the US envoy visit to Russia and Ukraine with a plan to end the war.
Facts Included:
US President Donald Trump said he was sending his son-in-law Jared Kushner and businessman Steve Witkoff to Moscow and Kyiv with a proposal to end the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Kushner and Witkoff have served as Trump's envoys to lead peace efforts in the Middle East as well as Ukraine.
The US president did not provide any details on the potential plan, including whether it involved Ukraine giving territory to Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that Kushner and Witkoff would travel to Ukraine on Sunday following talks in Moscow.
Recent media reports have questioned whether the pair would indeed travel to Ukraine.
Despite trips to Moscow to meet with Russian officials, the US envoys have not visited Kyiv since Trump's reelection last year.
Trump had promised to end the war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, on his first day back in office, but has more recently commented that bringing an end to the war was more complicated than he expected.
In the past, he has blamed Ukraine for the Russian invasion and a 'personality problem' between the countries' leaders for the continued fighting.
Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram that Ukraine would halt airstrikes during the negotiations and called on Moscow to do the same so talks could proceed safely.
Zelenskyy said: 'As with previous diplomatic visits by the American side, we will ensure the normal functioning of Russian airspace so that the negotiators can arrive safely. We are concerned about their safety, not about Russia.'
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov did not confirm reports that US officials would visit Moscow, saying only that the media would be informed if such a meeting took place.
Kushner and Witkoff were last in Moscow in January for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Wednesday, Putin described negotiations as 'frozen.'
A Russian drone hit the headquarters of Ukraine's domestic security service (SBU) in Kyiv on Friday.
Sybiha wrote on X: 'Moscow launched this strike during a renewed push for peace — laying bare its true rejection of diplomacy.'
Zelenskyy said he ordered 'an appropriate, tangible response and, where possible, one that mirrors this strike.'
Ukraine has also launched repeated drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure and the retail giant Wildberries.
The leaders of Russia and Ukraine on Saturday agreed to pause strikes on each other's capitals while S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner hold talks to try to revive a stalled push to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russia’s Tass news agency: 'Putin has ordered that no strikes be carried out against Kyiv for three days, starting at midnight today.'
Peskov confirmed that Kushner and Witkoff would meet Putin during their Moscow visit on Saturday, but said there was 'no talk of new ideas' to end the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was prepared to halt strikes on Moscow until Monday.
Zelenskyy said: 'From now through the end of Saturday, as well as on Sunday and Monday, Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow, and we expect the Russians to do the same regarding Kyiv.'
The last known visit to Moscow by Witkoff and Kushner was in January, when they met Putin in the Kremlin.
The envoys were met at the airport in Moscow by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
On Friday, a Russian drone hit the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU).
Russian attacks killed five people and wounded five more at an industrial facility in Ukraine’s southern Dnipropetrovsk region, local military administration head Oleksandr Hanzha said.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense said it had carried out strikes on two metallurgical plants in the region, describing them as 'major suppliers of metal products for Ukraine’s military production.'
A further two people were wounded in an overnight Russian attack on Ukraine’s Kyiv region, said Tymur Tkachenko.
Russia launched ballistic missiles from its Rostov and Voronezh regions and deployed 167 attack drones overnight, Ukraine’s air force said.
Ukrainian attacks wounded three people, including a 14-year-old girl, in Russia’s border region of Belgorod.
Framing: The headline emphasizes the pause in strikes on Kyiv and Moscow in connection with the visit of U.S. envoys.
Facts Included:
Putin and Zelensky agreed to pause strikes on Kyiv and Moscow while U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner hold talks
Putin ordered no strikes against Kyiv for three days starting at midnight, according to Dmitry Peskov
Peskov said the decision was tied to Witkoff and Kushner's planned visit to Kyiv
Peskov confirmed that Kushner and Witkoff would meet Putin in Moscow on Saturday
Zelensky said Ukraine was prepared to halt strikes on Moscow until Monday
Zelensky spoke on Saturday with the U.S. delegation after their arrival in Moscow
Zelensky quoted: 'From now through the end of Saturday, as well as on Sunday and Monday, Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow, and we expect the Russians to do the same regarding Kyiv.'
Witkoff and Kushner last visited Moscow in January, and have never previously visited Kyiv
The envoys were met at Moscow airport by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev
Dmitriev shared photos with the caption 'Welcome to Moscow Peacemakers.'
Zelensky said Russia had carried out overnight strikes on Kyiv and Boryspil airports, linking the attack to the planned U.S. visit
Zelensky quoted: 'Clearly, these Russian strikes on the airports are a reaction to the discussions and preparations for the possibility of the U.S. side using an aircraft to travel to Ukraine.'
Russia's Ministry of Defense said it struck two metallurgical plants, describing them as 'major suppliers of metal products for Ukraine's military production.'
Emergency crews were repeatedly forced to withdraw to safety due to threat of further strikes
Russia launched ballistic missiles from Rostov and Voronezh regions and deployed 167 attack drones overnight, per Ukraine's air force
Ukrainian attacks wounded three people, including a 14-year-old girl, in Russia's border region of Belgorod
Framing: Zelenskiy's offer to halt strikes on Moscow if Russia stops Kyiv attacks — neutral and factual
Facts Included:
Ukraine is prepared to cease air strikes on Moscow, provided Russia reciprocates by halting attacks on Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced.
Zelenskiy confirmed the readiness to refrain from striking Moscow while expecting Russia to do the same for Kyiv.
This specific reciprocal arrangement builds upon his earlier statement that Ukraine was ready to observe a ceasefire on air strikes on cities involved in peace talks, effective until Monday.
Prime Minister Mark Carney participated in a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Aug. 24, 2026, reaffirming Canada’s commitment to supporting Ukraine on its 35th Independence Day.
The session was hosted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and co-chaired by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
He also noted Ukraine’s role as a founding member of the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank.
Framing: Emphasizes the mutual agreement to pause strikes on capitals during US envoy talks.
Facts Included:
The leaders of Russia and Ukraine on Saturday agreed to pause strikes on each other's capitals while S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner hold talks to try to revive a stalled push to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russia’s Tass news agency: 'Putin has ordered that no strikes be carried out against Kyiv for three days, starting at midnight today.'
Peskov confirmed that Kushner and Witkoff would meet Putin during their Moscow visit on Saturday, but said there was 'no talk of new ideas' to end the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was prepared to halt strikes on Moscow until Monday.
Zelenskyy said: 'From now through the end of Saturday, as well as on Sunday and Monday, Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow, and we expect the Russians to do the same regarding Kyiv.'
The last known visit to Moscow by Witkoff and Kushner was in January, when they met Putin in the Kremlin.
The envoys were met at the airport in Moscow by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
On Friday, a Russian drone hit the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU).
Russian attacks killed five people and wounded five more at an industrial facility in Ukraine’s southern Dnipropetrovsk region, local military administration head Oleksandr Hanzha said.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense said it had carried out strikes on two metallurgical plants in the region, describing them as 'major suppliers of metal products for Ukraine’s military production.'
A further two people were wounded in an overnight Russian attack on Ukraine’s Kyiv region, said Tymur Tkachenko.
Russia launched ballistic missiles from its Rostov and Voronezh regions and deployed 167 attack drones overnight, Ukraine’s air force said.
Ukrainian attacks wounded three people, including a 14-year-old girl, in Russia’s border region of Belgorod.
Framing: Emphasizes Zelenskyy's ceasefire proposal in the context of impending US envoy visit — Serious and cautious, with a mix of diplomatic hope and alarm over the strike
Facts Included:
Zelenskyy proposed a ceasefire with Russia as US envoys visit Moscow and Kyiv, saying he hopes to host the American officials in Kyiv in the 'coming days'
A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s SBU security service on Friday, Zelenskyy said, accusing Moscow of directly targeting the personal office of the SBU chief
The daytime strike came two days before US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner were expected to visit Kyiv for the first time, a senior Ukrainian official told AFP
Zelenskyy said he had instructed the SBU to deliver an 'appropriate, tangible response' to the strike
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga described the strike as a 'major escalation'
'Unfortunately, a Russian drone hit the central building of the SBU on Volodymyrska Street in Kyiv, opposite the St. Sophia Cathedral,' Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram
Russia has intensified its daytime strikes on Ukraine in recent weeks, at times using jet-powered drones that are more difficult for air defences to intercept
Witkoff and Kushner were due to visit Kyiv for the first time, a Ukrainian official told AFP
US-led diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s four-and-a-half-year invasion have stalled in recent months, as Washington has shifted its focus towards the war with Iran
AI-extracted; can misattribute a claim — see Methodology.
Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimThe leaders of Russia and Ukraine agreed on Saturday to pause strikes on each other's capitals while U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner hold talks.
ClaimRussian President Vladimir Putin ordered that no strikes be carried out against Kyiv for three days starting at midnight, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
ClaimZelensky said: 'From now through the end of Saturday, as well as on Sunday and Monday, Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow, and we expect the Russians to do the same regarding Kyiv.'
ClaimZelensky said Russia had carried out overnight strikes on Kyiv and Boryspil international airports, and linked the attack to the planned U.S. visit.
ClaimZelensky said: 'Clearly, these Russian strikes on the airports are a reaction to the discussions and preparations for the possibility of the U.S. side using an aircraft to travel to Ukraine.'
ClaimRussia's Ministry of Defense said it struck two metallurgical plants, describing them as 'major suppliers of metal products for Ukraine's military production.'
ClaimEmergency crews responding to a drone strike on a shopping center in the Mykolaiv region were repeatedly forced to withdraw to safety due to the threat of further strikes.
ClaimRussia launched ballistic missiles from its Rostov and Voronezh regions and deployed 167 attack drones overnight, according to Ukraine's air force.
ClaimRussian attacks killed five people and wounded five more at an industrial facility in Ukraine's southern Dnipropetrovsk region, according to local military administration head Oleksandr Hanzha.
ClaimZelenskyy said: 'As with previous diplomatic visits by the American side, we will ensure the normal functioning of Russian airspace so that the negotiators can arrive safely. We are concerned about their safety, not about Russia.'
ClaimTrump had promised to end the war in Ukraine on his first day back in office, but has more recently said the feat was more complicated than expected.
ClaimIn the past, Trump has blamed Ukraine for the Russian invasion and a 'personality problem' between the countries' leaders for the continued fighting.
ClaimRussian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov did not confirm reports that US officials would visit Moscow, saying only that the media would be informed if such a meeting took place.
ClaimZelenskyy proposed a ceasefire with Russia as US envoys visit Moscow and Kyiv, saying he hopes to host the American officials in Kyiv in the 'coming days'.
ClaimZelenskyy said the strike on the SBU headquarters occurred two days before Witkoff and Kushner were expected to visit Kyiv for the first time, according to a senior Ukrainian official.
ClaimZelenskyy said: 'Unfortunately, a Russian drone hit the central building of the SBU on Volodymyrska Street in Kyiv, opposite the St. Sophia Cathedral.'
ClaimRussia has intensified its daytime strikes on Ukraine in recent weeks, at times using jet-powered drones that are more difficult for air defences to intercept.
ClaimUS-led diplomatic efforts to end Russia's four-and-a-half-year invasion have stalled in recent months, as Washington has shifted its focus towards the war with Iran.
ClaimRussian forces struck a shopping center in the southern Mykolaiv region with drones overnight, damaging retail premises and sparking fires, according to Ukraine's state emergency services, and a 72-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were hurt.
ClaimThe session was hosted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and co-chaired by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
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5 outlets · 7 publishers · 9 articles consulted: Deutsche Welle, BayToday, Los Angeles Times, NewsBytes, scanx.trade, SooToday, The Times of India45 claims extractedVersion 3Written 2026-09-05