US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he personally requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities for a week due to an extreme cold snap, a request he claims Putin accepted.
The announcement comes as Russian strikes on Ukraine’s power infrastructure have caused widespread disruptions to heating, electricity, and water supplies. With temperatures dropping significantly, the country is facing a severe humanitarian situation.
The Kremlin has not yet issued a statement confirming any such agreement. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged Trump’s statement and expressed hope that Washington could help secure the pause in attacks.
“Because of the cold, extreme cold… I personally asked President Putin not to fire on Kyiv and the cities and towns for a week during this,” Trump stated during a cabinet meeting. He described the weather as “record setting cold” and noted that he trusted the Russian leader to honor the agreement. Trump did not specify when the conversation took place or when the temporary halt would begin.
Zelensky confirmed that the possibility of a pause was initially discussed last weekend during three-way talks in Abu Dhabi between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. A second round of these negotiations is scheduled for Sunday. In preparation, Putin met with his Emirati counterpart, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Moscow on Thursday.
The diplomatic efforts occur as Ukraine navigates a difficult period in the nearly four-year-long war, with Russian forces advancing in the east. Ukrainian officials have warned of potential new Russian attacks on energy facilities as temperatures are forecast to fall as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius. On Thursday, Russian attacks killed six people in central and southern Ukraine, according to regional authorities.
Steve Witkoff, an envoy for Trump, supported the president’s claim, stating that the “friendship” between Trump and Putin could facilitate a settlement and “save a lot of lives.”
