Russia Agrees to Pause Strikes on Kyiv Until February 1 Following Trump's Personal Request Amid Brutal Cold

January 30, 2026

Russia has committed to halting airstrikes on Ukraine's capital Kyiv until February 1, following a direct appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump citing extreme winter temperatures gripping the region. The Kremlin confirmed the arrangement Friday, describing it as a response to Trump's personal request aimed at creating favorable conditions for ongoing negotiations, though both sides emphasized no formal ceasefire exists.

The temporary pause comes as Ukraine endures one of its harshest winters in years, with temperatures in Kyiv expected to plummet to minus 26 degrees Celsius starting Sunday, exacerbating hardships from prior attacks on energy infrastructure that have left millions without reliable heat, power, or water.

Trump Initiates Humanitarian Gesture

During a White House Cabinet meeting Thursday, Trump revealed he had personally asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to refrain from firing on Kyiv and various Ukrainian towns for a week due to the extraordinary cold. He stated that Putin had agreed to the request.

The move appears tied to broader U.S. efforts to de-escalate the conflict and advance diplomatic talks. Trump has positioned himself as actively involved in pushing for peace since taking office, including brokering discussions in venues like Abu Dhabi.

Kremlin Confirms Limited Pause

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Friday that Putin had accepted Trump's request to withhold strikes on Kyiv until February 1. He described the step as creating opportunities for negotiations without elaborating on whether the pause extends beyond the capital or covers only energy targets.

Russian sources indicated the halt focuses on airstrikes against Ukrainian energy installations, a key vulnerability in recent months. Some reports suggested the pause might end as early as Sunday, though details remained inconsistent across statements.

Ukraine Signals Reciprocity but Urges Caution

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the potential de-escalation, stating Kyiv would reciprocate by halting attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, including oil refineries, if Moscow fully observes the pause. He stressed there is no official ceasefire agreement and that Ukraine would monitor compliance closely.

Zelenskyy noted the proposal emerged during recent U.S.-brokered talks in the United Arab Emirates, framing it as a limited humanitarian measure rather than a broader truce. Ukrainian officials expressed hope it could build momentum toward more substantial dialogue but cautioned against over-optimism given past unfulfilled commitments.

Extreme Weather Amplifies Urgency

The pause arrives amid severe cold that has compounded suffering across Ukraine. Russian strikes on power grids and other energy facilities over recent months have caused widespread blackouts and left civilians vulnerable to freezing conditions. With forecasts predicting even lower temperatures in the coming days, the temporary reprieve could provide critical relief for repairs and civilian protection.

International observers view the arrangement as a rare, albeit narrow, de-escalation step in the prolonged conflict, potentially testing goodwill ahead of further rounds of talks.

Implications for Broader Peace Efforts

While limited in scope and duration, the pause represents a direct channel of communication between Trump and Putin and aligns with U.S. pushes for diplomatic progress. No formal mechanism verifies compliance, and questions linger over whether strikes might resume immediately after February 1 or expand elsewhere.

Analysts note that such short-term humanitarian gestures have occurred sporadically in past winters but rarely lead to lasting changes without addressing core issues like territorial control and security guarantees. Both capitals continue preparations for upcoming negotiations, with the pause offering a brief window to assess intentions.

As frigid conditions intensify, the coming days will reveal whether this limited agreement holds and if it can serve as a foundation for more meaningful de-escalation in a war that has dragged on for years. For now, residents in Kyiv and other affected areas brace for the cold with cautious hope that the skies remain quiet, at least through the weekend.