Trump Sends Envoys to Russia, Ukraine With New Peace Plan; Both Sides Vow Three-Day Capital Strike Pause

US President Donald Trump has sent envoys to Russia and Ukraine with a new peace plan, Al Jazeera reports. The mission includes separate meetings in Moscow and Kyiv, with Putin personally receiving the US envoys to discuss the proposal.

Al Jazeera further reported that both Russia and Ukraine have agreed not to strike each other's capitals for three days during the negotiation window, a confidence-building measure as the two sides examine the US proposal. The vow covers attacks on Moscow and Kyiv while talks are under way.

The peace initiative arrives amid continued fighting and represents the latest diplomatic push by the Trump administration to bring an end to the conflict.

In other developments covered by Al Jazeera's video feed this week:

The UN has approved a new map showing Africa's true size, correcting long-standing distortions in common map projections.
A US regulator has opened a safety investigation as Tesla launches driverless taxis.
A judge has declared a mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy children's murder case.
Al Jazeera examined whether Israel's destruction in Gaza worsened the territory's water crisis.
Asylum seekers have been caught up in the US immigration crackdown.
Nigel Farage was heckled as he denied Reform UK took illegal funding.

Why This Matters

The three-day no-strike pledge on capitals, while limited, is a measurable de-escalatory step between two sides that have routinely targeted each other's cities.
A direct US-brokered proposal raises the stakes for a diplomatic breakthrough, but also sets up a possible moment of decision for both Kyiv and Moscow.
The outcome could shape the trajectory of the war — either opening a path toward negotiations or hardening positions if the plan is rejected.

Background

The Ukraine war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, has seen multiple mediation attempts from various countries, but no comprehensive ceasefire has held. The US has alternated between military support for Ukraine and direct engagement with Moscow depending on the administration. Trump has repeatedly signalled a desire to end the war quickly, and the dispatch of envoys with a concrete plan marks the latest such effort.

Key Perspectives

Russia: Putin's willingness to meet the US envoys in person suggests Moscow is open to hearing the proposal, while the no-strike vow signals a tactical interest in reducing pressure on its capital. Ukraine: Kyiv's agreement to the same pledge indicates readiness to engage with the US plan, though it faces pressure to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity in any negotiations. Critics/Skeptics: Previous truces and peace initiatives have collapsed without lasting effect. Skeptics warn that a three-day pause is a low-cost gesture that may not translate into broader de-escalation, and that any plan requiring territorial concessions could be rejected by Ukraine or its supporters.

What to Watch

Whether the three-day no-strike period is honoured in full by both sides.
Any public statements from Kyiv or Moscow outlining their positions on the US plan.
Signs of follow-up talks, as the envoys' visit could either lead to a formal negotiation track or stall if either side demands preconditions.

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