A three-day reciprocal pause in strikes on each other's capitals—officially to
safeguard a US delegation's travel—reflects continued intense maneuvering
between Russia and Ukraine, commentator Su Xiaohui said. Both sides are seeking
to shift US pressure onto their opponent and to court Washington: Kyiv's earlier
proposal to halt strikes on Moscow aimed to put the onus on Moscow and accuse it
of derailing talks, while Russia's rapid acceptance redirected the diplomatic
move back. With the Middle East stalemate unresolved, the US European diplomatic
tour is intended to signal Washington can still advance major agendas.
