Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a temporary suspension of attacks on Kyiv and surrounding towns for one week, citing severe winter conditions affecting civilians. The announcement, made during a Cabinet briefing in Washington on Thursday, frames the week long pause as a humanitarian gesture aimed at easing the suffering of residents enduring bitter cold.
Trump stated that he personally requested Putin to halt military fire on Kyiv, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the concession. “I personally asked President Putin not to fire into Kyiv and various towns for a week, and he agreed to do that,” the President said. He described the development as unexpected and noteworthy, adding that some advisers had doubted it would be granted. “A lot of people said, ‘Don’t waste the call, you’re not going to get that.’ And he did it,” Trump remarked, highlighting the surprise success of his diplomatic engagement.
While the U.S. president presented the pause as a positive step, details about how the cessation will be implemented remain unclear. Neither Russian authorities nor independent observers in Ukraine have yet confirmed the halt, raising questions about its durability. Kyiv continues to face intense humanitarian pressures as the war enters its fourth year, with strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure leaving many without heat, electricity, or water amid the harsh winter.
The announcement comes at a time of ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict. U.S. and Russian envoys have been engaged in discussions about potential frameworks for peace, though key issues such as territorial disputes and sovereignty concerns remain unresolved. Analysts caution that a temporary pause in hostilities does not constitute a lasting ceasefire, but may provide short term humanitarian relief for civilians in the capital and nearby regions.
Critics of Trump’s approach have expressed concern that a one week pause does not address the broader strategic dynamics of the war. Russia has continued military operations in other parts of Ukraine, and recent strikes on civilian infrastructure suggest that any cessation may be limited in scope. Ukrainian officials have emphasized that meaningful peace requires broader agreements that respect the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, beyond temporary pauses in violence.
For Kyiv residents, the week long halt may offer a brief respite from the constant threat of bombardment, particularly during extreme winter conditions that have exacerbated civilian suffering. However, military analysts and diplomats caution that without sustained negotiation and enforceable agreements, such temporary measures risk being viewed as tactical pauses rather than steps toward lasting peace.
As the situation develops, the international community will be closely monitoring whether the reported suspension of attacks is honored on the ground. The week long pause, if implemented, could offer limited relief, but the overarching conflict between Russia and Ukraine remains unresolved, with major diplomatic, political, and military challenges still ahead.