Putin Orders Three-Day Halt To Strikes On Ukraine As Trump's Envoys Reach Moscow - News18

**Putin Orders Three‑Day Halt to Strikes on Ukraine as U.S. Envoys Arrive in Moscow** *June 30 2024 – Moscow*

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary suspension of all Russian air and missile strikes against Ukrainian targets for a period of three days, effective from 0600 GMT on July 1. The cease‑fire was declared in a televised address and reiterated in a meeting with senior Kremlin officials, who said the pause would “provide a window for constructive dialogue.” The decision coincided with the arrival in Moscow of two senior U.S. envoys, former Treasury Secretary Steven T. Morrison and senior adviser Jared Kushner, who were dispatched by President Donald Trump to present a package of proposals aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

During the talks, the American delegation outlined “a number of ideas” to the Kremlin, including a phased withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied territories, security guarantees for the Russian‑backed separatist regions, and a framework for a multinational peace‑keeping mission overseen by the United Nations. Kremlin spokespeople indicated that the proposals were “being examined carefully” but stopped short of committing to any specific terms. The three‑day strike halt was presented by Putin as a goodwill gesture to test the sincerity of the U.S. initiative, though he emphasized that any lasting settlement would have to respect Russia’s “legitimate security interests.”

Reactions in Kyiv were cautious. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Russian leadership for the temporary pause but warned that “a cease‑fire without a credible roadmap for a comprehensive peace will only delay further suffering.” NATO officials echoed the sentiment, urging that any reduction in hostilities be linked to concrete steps toward a negotiated settlement. Analysts note that the brief pause, while symbolically significant, may have limited practical impact unless it leads to sustained diplomatic momentum and verifiable commitments from both sides.