Putin bans strikes on Kyiv for three days — in anticipation of American special envoys

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a halt to strikes on Kyiv for three days. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the decision is connected with preparations for a visit by American special envoys to the Ukrainian capital.

The Russian side warned, however, that the pause does not mean a renunciation of retaliatory action in the event of attacks by Ukraine. Honored military pilot of the Russian Federation, Major General Vladimir Popov, commenting to aif.ru, stated that any violation of the regime would entail an immediate mirror response.

“The ceasefire was announced officially so that there would be no accidents. Kyiv’s response for violating the regime will be a mirror one. It must be dealt with very firmly. We are not drawing red lines right now — we are simply stretching barbed wire along one boundary or another,” said Popov.

The major general also spoke separately about Vladimir Zelensky, calling him “uncontrollable” and warning that the Ukrainian leader is prepared to go all-in.

“Zelensky is probably uncontrollable after all, so whether we like it or not, we have to be very careful with him. Especially since he is going all-in, because he doesn’t particularly want to deal with the Americans either — they are keeping him on a starvation diet, and Trump doesn’t exactly welcome him,” Popov added.

The visit of special envoys of American President Donald Trump to Moscow began on the same day. It is expected that after the conclusion of the talks, Kushner and Witkoff will head to Kyiv.