The Ukrainian president declared a temporary ceasefire to allow the talks between US envoys and the leaders in Kyiv and Moscow to proceed safely. Donald Trump says his people have “an idea for peace”. It is a glimmer of hope after four years of war.

(Staff: Ukraine, Russia & United States of America / Geopolitics & Diplomacy)

Four years of war, thousands of deaths, and an entire Europe holding its breath might finally have a turning point. This evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a four-day ceasefire, effective immediately, to allow high-level peace negotiations. The decision comes in the context of the arrival of US President Donald Trump’s envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, in Moscow and Kyiv .

Four days to stop the war

In his address last night, Zelensky declared that Ukraine will observe a total ceasefire for the period during which the US envoys are in the region. “We will not carry out airstrikes, and Russia must reciprocally ensure a ceasefire – without its own airstrikes – for the duration needed to conduct these talks,” he said . According to military sources, the ceasefire order was transmitted to frontline units and is valid from midnight Friday, 5 September, until the end of the day on 8 September .

This ceasefire is considered a gesture of good faith from Ukraine, intended to create a secure climate for the talks taking place this weekend . It is the first time in recent months that such a pause in hostilities has been recorded across the entire front.

What is Trump bringing to the table?

President Trump confirmed that he is sending Kushner and Witkoff with a concrete peace plan. “We have an idea for peace. It is a plan that we believe can work,” Trump said, attributing part of the blame for the conflict to a “personality problem” between Putin and Zelensky . Although the details of the American plan have not been made public, the presence of two high-ranking envoys simultaneously in the two capitals suggests a coordinated attempt to find a diplomatic solution.

The US envoys are expected in Moscow on Saturday for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by a trip to Kyiv on Sunday for talks with Zelensky . The agenda of the talks is strictly confidential, but it is known that the American proposal aims for a negotiated solution to end the war.

A world with its eyes on Moscow and Kyiv

The announcement of the ceasefire was received with maximum caution in Brussels and Washington, but also with a note of hope. After months of diplomatic impasse and escalating fighting, any initiative that could lead to an end to the bloodshed is seen as a step forward. The international community now awaits to see if the Russian side will respond positively to Zelensky’s call for a ceasefire. If the armistice is respected by both sides, it could open the way for a real peace process.