Trump Announces Putin's Agreement to Pause Attacks on Kyiv Amid Severe Winter Crisis
U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed that Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to halt military attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities for a period of one week. This announcement comes as Ukraine faces its most challenging winter since the conflict began, with millions suffering from disrupted essential services due to Russian strikes on power infrastructure.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Freezing Temperatures
Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy systems have left countless citizens without reliable access to electricity, heating, and clean water during extreme cold weather. The situation has escalated into a significant humanitarian emergency as temperatures are forecast to plummet to as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius in the coming days.
"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 White House cabinet meeting on January 29, 2026. "It's extraordinary. It's not just like cold, it's extraordinary cold. Record-setting cold, over there too."
Trump's Personal Diplomacy and Putin's Response
The American president emphasized that he made a personal appeal to the Russian leader, despite skepticism from advisors who doubted such an agreement could be reached. "I have to tell you, people said, 'Don't waste the call. You're not going to get that.' And he did it," Trump recounted. "And we're very happy that they did it, because on top of everything else, that's not what they need is missiles coming into their towns and cities."
Trump expressed confidence that Putin would honor this temporary ceasefire arrangement, noting "I trusted Putin to honour the agreement." This development follows their August summit in Alaska, which previously concluded without any major diplomatic breakthroughs.
Ongoing Conflict and Regional Impact
Despite this temporary reprieve, the war continues to inflict severe consequences across Ukraine. Regional authorities reported that Russian attacks killed six people in central and southern regions on Thursday alone. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned of potential fresh assaults on energy facilities, highlighting the precarious nature of the current situation.
Trump indicated that "there had been 'a lot of progress' in U.S.-brokered talks between Kyiv and Moscow" aimed at ending the invasion, which approaches its fifth year. However, the immediate focus remains on the humanitarian crisis unfolding during what Ukrainian officials describe as record-breaking cold temperatures.
The combination of military conflict and extreme weather has created unprecedented challenges for Ukrainian authorities racing to restore critical services. As the war enters another winter phase, international attention remains fixed on both the diplomatic developments and the urgent needs of civilians caught in the conflict zone.
