Ukraine has seen a relatively quiet night after Donald Trump said his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had agreed not to attack Kyiv and various towns during a cold snap. The Kremlin confirmed it had agreed to cease attacks on Kyiv until Sunday to create favorable conditions for peace talks.
While the US president did not specify when the pause would begin, air raid alerts sounded in just eight regions overnight, with two minor injuries reported in Zaporizhzhia. Temperatures in Kyiv are expected to plummet to -24C over the coming days, causing further concern as Russia has previously intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure during cold weather.
Ukrainian officials had anticipated a significant offensive this weekend, and if such an attack does not manifest, it could signal a pivotal moment in US-led efforts to foster a resolution to the conflict. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Putin had called a halt to strikes on Kyiv 'for a week until 1 February' at Trump's personal request.
Despite the night’s calm, skepticism persists among Kyiv's residents regarding the longevity of this pause, with many recalling past agreements that led to continued aggression. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope for security during this harsh winter but noted that no direct agreements with Russia had been made regarding energy infrastructure attacks, indicating Kyiv would respond in kind if targeted.
In light of the ongoing struggles with heating and power supply in the frigid weather, a potential one-week respite is seen as vital, as many Kyiv residents face frigid indoor temperatures. The international community watches closely, as previous discussions between US, Russian, and Ukrainian negotiators had characterized talks as constructive but did not lead to concrete agreements, leaving the situation precarious as both sides prepare for future interactions.
While the US president did not specify when the pause would begin, air raid alerts sounded in just eight regions overnight, with two minor injuries reported in Zaporizhzhia. Temperatures in Kyiv are expected to plummet to -24C over the coming days, causing further concern as Russia has previously intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure during cold weather.
Ukrainian officials had anticipated a significant offensive this weekend, and if such an attack does not manifest, it could signal a pivotal moment in US-led efforts to foster a resolution to the conflict. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Putin had called a halt to strikes on Kyiv 'for a week until 1 February' at Trump's personal request.
Despite the night’s calm, skepticism persists among Kyiv's residents regarding the longevity of this pause, with many recalling past agreements that led to continued aggression. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope for security during this harsh winter but noted that no direct agreements with Russia had been made regarding energy infrastructure attacks, indicating Kyiv would respond in kind if targeted.
In light of the ongoing struggles with heating and power supply in the frigid weather, a potential one-week respite is seen as vital, as many Kyiv residents face frigid indoor temperatures. The international community watches closely, as previous discussions between US, Russian, and Ukrainian negotiators had characterized talks as constructive but did not lead to concrete agreements, leaving the situation precarious as both sides prepare for future interactions.
