U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to suspend attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities for a week due to extreme winter conditions.
Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the pause would give Ukraine a temporary reprieve from air strikes that have left many residents without heating and electricity in freezing temperatures.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the development, emphasizing that the halt would shield energy facilities from Russian strikes. “De-escalation steps contribute to real progress toward ending the war,” Zelenskiy wrote on social media, thanking the United States for its diplomatic efforts.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko reported that hundreds of apartment buildings remained without heat, with overnight temperatures dropping to -10°C (18°F) and expected to fall further in the coming days. Emergency crews are working to restore electricity and heating throughout the city.
The pause comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the nearly four-year conflict. Last weekend, U.S., Ukrainian, and Russian negotiators held three-way talks in the United Arab Emirates. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said discussions had made progress on security guarantees and post-war recovery, though major differences remain over territory.
Ukraine continues to resist Russian demands to cede all of its eastern Donbas region, which Moscow has struggled to fully capture. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov noted that territorial disputes are not the only outstanding issue. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed skepticism over U.S.-brokered security guarantees, questioning whether they could ensure lasting peace while maintaining Ukraine’s current leadership.
The next round of talks is scheduled for Sunday, with both sides monitoring the ceasefire and the status of energy facilities across Kyiv and other impacted cities.
