Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Zelenskyy Proposes Airstrike Ceasefire During US Envoy Peace Talks
Ukraine and Russia are fighting a long war.
Two U.S. representatives, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, plan to visit Moscow and Kyiv to discuss peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that both sides temporarily stop airstrikes while the meetings take place.
He said Ukraine would stop its own airstrikes and asked Russia to do the same.
Zelenskyy said this would help the representatives travel safely and focus on negotiations.
His proposal came after a Russian drone struck a Ukrainian security headquarters in Kyiv.
Ukrainian officials described the strike as a serious escalation, while Russia’s position on the proposed pause was not reported.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the envoys would present an idea for peace.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed a temporary halt to airstrikes during planned U.S.-brokered peace discussions.
U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to visit Moscow and Kyiv over the weekend.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would stop airstrikes and called on Russia to reciprocate during the talks.
The proposal followed a Russian drone strike on Ukraine’s security service headquarters in central Kyiv that wounded 12 people.
Recent Russian attacks in the Odesa region and Dnipro reportedly killed three people and injured at least five others.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Russia.
- What
- Zelenskyy proposed a temporary mutual halt to airstrikes while U.S. envoys visit Moscow and Kyiv for peace talks.
- When
- The proposal was made Friday; Witkoff and Kushner were scheduled to visit Moscow on Saturday and Kyiv on Sunday.
- Where
- The diplomatic visits are planned for Moscow and Kyiv; the reported attacks occurred in Kyiv, the Odesa region, and Dnipro.
- Why
- To allow the envoys to travel safely, address logistical issues, and explore options for ending the war.
Diplomatic ceasefire push
Reported military escalation
Meaning of the Kyiv strike
Diplomatic ceasefire push
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the drone strike a major escalation and said it showed Moscow’s rejection of diplomacy.
Reported military escalation
The reports attribute the strike to Russia and note that it occurred as discussions about potential peace talks were developing; no Russian response was provided.
Purpose of the negotiations
Diplomatic ceasefire push
Zelenskyy said the temporary pause would protect the U.S. envoys, resolve logistical issues, and create real options for ending the war.
Reported military escalation
Trump said the conflict was being prolonged by a severe personal relationship between Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy, describing their hostility as an obstacle to peace.
- Ceasefire proposal
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine would halt airstrikes and asked Russia to do the same during the talks.
- U.S. envoys
- Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to visit Moscow and Kyiv.
- Visit schedule
- The envoys were expected in Moscow on Saturday and Kyiv on Sunday.
- U.S. peace proposal
- Donald Trump said the envoys would bring an idea for peace to end the war.
- Kyiv strike
- A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s security service in central Kyiv; local authorities reported 12 wounded.
- Other casualties
- An overnight attack in the Odesa region reportedly killed one person and injured at least five, while attacks in Dnipro killed two police officials.
- War duration
- The reports variously describe the conflict as four years old, four-and-a-half years old, or approaching five years.
