Russian President Vladimir Putin orders 72-hour pause in strikes on Kyiv - The Hindu

**Russian President Vladimir Putin Orders 72‑Hour Pause in Strikes on Kyiv**

Moscow announced on Tuesday that President Vladimir Putin has mandated a three‑day suspension of all Russian air and missile strikes targeting Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. The order, first reported by *The Hindu*, comes amid renewed diplomatic overtures from the United States, which has dispatched a senior delegation to the Russian capital to explore a possible cease‑fire framework. In a televised address, Putin framed the pause as a “humanitarian measure” intended to create a window for negotiations and to reduce civilian casualties in the city.

The U.S. team, which includes former President Donald Trump’s senior advisor Jared Kushner and real‑estate developer Steve Witkoff, arrived in Moscow on Monday under the auspices of the State Department. Their mission, according to officials, is to engage directly with Russian authorities and to convey Kyiv’s willingness to consider a temporary cease‑fire if it is reciprocated by Moscow. The delegation’s presence has been highlighted by several outlets—including the BBC, *The Guardian* and *The Times of India*—as a sign of heightened American involvement in seeking a diplomatic resolution to the conflict that has raged for more than two years.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed the pause but cautioned that any cessation of hostilities must be accompanied by concrete steps toward a lasting settlement. NATO allies echoed a similar sentiment, urging both parties to use the lull as a genuine opportunity for dialogue rather than a tactical respite. Analysts note that while the 72‑hour window may provide a brief reduction in violence, the durability of any agreement will hinge on subsequent negotiations and the willingness of both sides to address core issues such as territorial integrity and security guarantees.