Putin Says 'No Strikes On Kyiv For 3 Days' After Zelensky's Ceasefire Pitch - ndtv.com

**Putin Offers Three‑Day Pause on Kyiv Strikes Following Zelensky’s Ceasefire Proposal** Moscow announced on Friday that Russian forces would refrain from conducting air or missile strikes against Kyiv for a period of three days. The decision came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed for a temporary ceasefire to create space for humanitarian aid and to enable diplomatic talks. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the pause was a “good‑will gesture” meant to demonstrate Russia’s willingness to consider “constructive proposals” that could lead to a de‑escalation of hostilities, though he stopped short of confirming any broader shift in Russian war aims.

At the same time, senior United States officials intensified their shuttle‑diplomacy in the region. A team of U.S. envoys, including Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and senior adviser to the National Security Council, held their first on‑the‑ground meeting with President Zelensky in Kyiv, as reported by *The Hindu*. The delegation was part of a second‑leg push that also saw senior figures such as former CIA Director John Witkoff and former White House aide Jared Kushner arriving in the Ukrainian capital to discuss possible pathways to a negotiated settlement. Both U.S. delegations emphasized the need for “credible security guarantees” for Kyiv and urged Moscow to keep its three‑day pledge while broader talks continue.

The Kremlin, while welcoming the U.S. contacts, described the discussions as “useful” but noted that “there is no sign of a breakthrough” in achieving a lasting ceasefire or peace framework, according to a Reuters briefing. Russian officials stressed that any substantive agreement would have to address what they term “security concerns” regarding NATO expansion and the status of territories seized after February 2022. With the three‑day strike moratorium now in effect, analysts say the coming days will test whether diplomatic momentum can translate into a more durable de‑escalation or whether the pause will simply be a temporary lull in a protracted conflict.