Putin marks Moscow's birthday as Trump sends envoys with peace plan

On September 5, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin participated in events marking Moscow's 879th birthday, congratulating residents and opening new city facilities. In his remarks, he noted that tens of thousands of Muscovites are fighting in the special military operation in Ukraine. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump dispatched envoys to Moscow and Kyiv with a new plan to end the war, though Moscow sees little chance of a peace deal ahead of their visit. The CIA director's recent visit to Moscow reportedly emboldened Putin to push harder for a military victory.