Putin orders weekend ceasefire

Putin has made a smart move by announcing a ceasefire while Trump's two envoys are around to talk about ending the war in Ukraine. Obviously it makes practical sense because the two message-carriers, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are due in Kyiv tomorrow and it would be bit of a slap in Trump's face if missiles started landing in the Ukrainian capital while they are chatting to Zelensky. On the other hand, Putin could have ordered a missile strike elsewhere in Ukraine to remind Washington that he can do that whenever he likes. However, he chose the sensible option because he wants to demonstrate that he is in control and if he orders a ceasefire then the Russian military get a couple of days off. Zelensky would be wise to stop attacks on Russia for the weekend, so everyone gets a breather, and Witkoff and Kushner can gop about their business without having to pop into a bunker every half an hour. If these latest talks fail to deliver anything, then I think all bets are off and the war will rage on through the coming winter and another year will go by.