Ukraine, Russia agreed to spare Kyiv and Moscow from strikes — Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (photo: facebook.com_zelenskyy.official)
Ukraine is ready to refrain from striking Moscow from Saturday through the end of Monday. Kyiv expects Russia to similarly refrain from attacks on the Ukrainian capital, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Agreement details
The Ukrainian leader said that he has spoken with the US president's representatives who have already begun working with the Russian side. Since that conversation, the sides are prepared to observe a suspension of airstrikes against cities involved in the negotiation process.
"Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow from now until the end of the day on Saturday, as well as on Sunday and Monday, and we expect the Russians to do the same regarding Kyiv," Zelenskyy said.
Front-line situation
The president also said he had received briefings from Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi on the situation at the front, the dynamics of air threats, and Ukraine's ongoing defensive operations.
Diplomatic track
Zelenskyy stressed that the efforts Ukraine will make on the diplomatic front will be equally strong and effective. A plan for diplomatic initiatives in Kyiv tomorrow, involving the US team, has already been approved.
"We are waiting for Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and are ready for a substantive discussion," the president added.
As previously reported, the Kremlin said Putin had ordered a three-day halt to strikes on Kyiv, from midnight on September 6 through September 9. It linked the pause to preparations for and the holding of negotiations in the capital.
At the same time, Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation chief Andrii Kovalenko pointed out that the pause announced by the Kremlin applies only to Kyiv, with no mention of the Kyiv region or other parts of the country.
Earlier, Presidential Office head Kyrylo Budanov confirmed that Ukraine had proposed a ceasefire on the ground and in the air to Russia, but Moscow had not responded to the proposal.
