Putin has allowed a halt to attacks in Kiev during the icy winter: Trump

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed, at his personal request, to suspend attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The declaration comes as millions of Ukrainians endure bitter winter conditions without electricity or heating, following a spate of Russian strikes on the country’s critical infrastructure.

Trump made the announcement during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, emphasising the extraordinary severity of the winter. “This is not ordinary cold; it is unprecedented. Even in Ukraine, temperatures are breaking records, and the weather is deteriorating rapidly,” he said. Trump added that he had personally urged Putin to halt attacks for one week, describing the agreement as “very positive.”

The Kremlin has not confirmed any such ceasefire. Nevertheless, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude towards Trump, stating that he places his trust in Washington to ensure that hostilities are indeed suspended.

The humanitarian situation in Ukraine has worsened sharply due to Russia’s recent assaults on power, heating, and water systems. Millions of residents face freezing temperatures without reliable access to heat or electricity, compounding the challenges of a conflict-ridden nation already struggling with ongoing infrastructure damage.

Trump referred to a previous meeting with Putin in Alaska last year, noting that the two leaders had not achieved major breakthroughs at the time. He expressed confidence that Putin would honour the temporary suspension of attacks, although he did not specify exactly when the discussions took place or when the pause would officially commence. “People said, ‘Don’t waste your time calling him; he won’t agree.’ But he did,” Trump remarked.

The US President stressed the importance of avoiding further missile strikes on Ukrainian cities during this harsh winter. “They (the Ukrainians) have never faced such severe cold before. Suspending attacks now is crucial,” he said.

While the exact timeline and terms of the purported ceasefire remain unclear, Trump framed the development as a humanitarian relief measure in the midst of an intensifying winter crisis in Ukraine. The announcement highlights ongoing international concern over the impact of the conflict on civilian populations during the coldest months of the year.