Zelenskyy confirmed the U.S. request not to strike Moscow
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the U.S. had asked Ukraine to suspend strikes on Moscow and St. Petersburg for several days. According to him, Ukraine complied with this request on August 25, 26, and 27, even though Russia continued to attack Ukrainian cities during that time.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is prepared to pause its strikes on Russia if requested to do so by international partners. He said that Kyiv is thus supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine respects its partners’ desire to help end the Russian-Ukrainian war. He noted that Kyiv is ready to support such initiatives if they can facilitate negotiations and bring peace closer.
“We support every such effort,” the president said. In this context, Zelenskyy publicly confirmed for the first time that the U.S. had approached Ukraine with a specific request regarding strikes on Russian territory. According to him, the American side asked that no strikes be carried out on Moscow and St. Petersburg on August 25, 26, and 27. “When the Americans asked us to pause strikes on Moscow and St. Petersburg on August 25, 26, and 27, we observed that pause. There were no strikes there. There were strikes on Ukraine,” Zelenskyy stated.
Thus, according to the president, Ukraine agreed to a temporary restriction on strikes for the sake of diplomatic contacts. At the same time, Russia did not cease its attacks on Ukraine during this period. Zelenskyy also noted that Ukraine is ready to consider similar requests from other countries. He mentioned a request for a temporary pause in strikes toward Vladivostok. “When another world power approached us with a request to suspend strikes for a set period of time in the direction of Vladivostok—we will ensure that as well,” the president said.
Zelenskyy did not specify which country he was referring to. The president also mentioned upcoming meetings, which, according to him, are currently being prepared in Moscow. He stated that Ukraine will take diplomatic processes into account when making further decisions.
According to him, Kyiv does not want to hinder attempts to negotiate an end to the war. At the same time, Zelenskyy emphasized that diplomacy must lead to a real end to the war, rather than giving Russia the opportunity to drag it out. “We always support every step toward peace, toward ensuring that Russia does not make this war endless. We need an end to the war, and leaders are right to tell Putin this,” the head of state said.
He added that Ukraine is ready to continue providing such pauses in the future if relevant requests are received from partners. “Therefore, for the sake of diplomacy and negotiations—when our partners approach us about this—we will ensure that Russian airspace is cleared of drones for specified periods of time and in specific directions,” Zelenskyy said.
At the same time, the president made it clear that such pauses do not mean Ukraine is giving up the ability to strike military targets in Russia. These are specifically temporary restrictions that Kyiv may agree to within the framework of diplomatic agreements. Zelenskyy’s statement came amid active international efforts to find a way to end the war. Ukraine insists that diplomatic efforts must lead to a genuine cessation of hostilities and security guarantees, rather than simply creating yet another temporary pause.
The president also emphasized that Ukraine is ready to support steps that could bring negotiations closer. At the same time, Kyiv expects a similar willingness from Russia, since a pause on the Ukrainian side alone does not stop Russian attacks. Thus, Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine had already agreed to limit strikes on certain Russian targets at the request of the U.S. and is ready to do so again in the interest of diplomacy. At the same time, he said, the specific timing and targets of such pauses could be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the situation and the negotiation process. The president made these remarks in an evening address.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned airlines, insurers, and other companies that use Russian airspace about the increasing danger of flying over Russia. According to him, due to the war and the activity of Ukrainian drones, Russian airspace will effectively become unsuitable for safe civilian flights.
