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Trump announces temporary truce in Ukraine
US President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to suspend military strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions for one week due to severe winter conditions. Russia has not confirmed the arrangement, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the development.
Mixed reactions and unconfirmed details
During a televised cabinet meeting in Washington, Trump revealed he had personally requested the pause, describing Putin's response as unexpected. "I asked President Putin not to fire into Kyiv and various towns for a week, and he agreed," Trump said. "A lot of people said, 'Don't waste the call,' but he did it."
Zelensky later posted on social media, calling Trump's statement "important" and expressing hope that the agreements would be implemented. The two leaders had discussed the matter during talks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last week, where trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the US took place for the first time since the war began.
Attacks persist despite alleged agreement
Despite Trump's claim, Russia has not publicly verified any pause in hostilities. Meanwhile, Ukraine's air force reported that four frontline regions faced attacks overnight, with 80 Russian drones and a ballistic missile targeting those areas on Friday morning.
The BBC has learned that Ukraine has agreed to reciprocate by halting strikes on Russian oil refineries, though no official confirmation of this arrangement has been issued by Moscow.
Humanitarian crisis worsens as temperatures drop
Kyiv and surrounding regions are bracing for extreme cold, with temperatures expected to plunge to -24°C (-11°F) in the coming days. Russia has historically intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure during winter, exacerbating power shortages. Recent strikes have left millions without heating or reliable electricity, with repairs often disrupted by renewed bombardments.
Even when power is restored, outages persist, allowing only brief windows to charge devices but not enough to heat homes adequately. Utility workers continue emergency repairs around the clock, though their efforts are frequently undermined by fresh attacks.
Uncertainty surrounds diplomatic efforts
While the UAE talks were described as constructive by all parties, no formal announcement has been made regarding a Russian commitment to pause attacks. The lack of confirmation from Moscow raises questions about the durability of any temporary truce, particularly as Ukraine faces ongoing energy disruptions and civilian hardship.
"Almost they didn't believe it, but they were very happy about it because they are struggling badly."
Donald Trump, on Ukrainian reactions to the alleged pause
