Putin Agrees to Trump's Request for Temporary Halt on Kyiv Strikes, Kremlin Confirms
MOSCOW, Jan 30 (Reuters) – The Kremlin confirmed on Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has acquiesced to a direct request from former U.S. President Donald Trump, agreeing to halt military strikes on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv until at least February 1. According to spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the move is intended to establish "favourable conditions" for possible peace negotiations.
The announcement follows Trump's statement on Thursday, in which he cited cold weather as the rationale for a one-week cessation of attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. However, Peskov's remarks made no reference to meteorological factors, framing the decision solely as a response to diplomatic outreach.
"President Trump did indeed make a personal request to President Putin to refrain from striking Kyiv for this period," Peskov told reporters. "The aim is to create a window for dialogue." When pressed, he affirmed Putin's agreement: "Yes, of course. The request was personal and has been acknowledged."
The scope of the reported pause remains ambiguous. It is unclear whether "Kyiv" refers strictly to the capital—where hundreds of thousands remain without stable heat and power following targeted strikes on energy infrastructure—or signals a broader nationwide halt. Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Russian attacks on Ukraine's power grid have precipitated a humanitarian crisis, particularly during winter months.
Ukrainian officials have previously stated they would reciprocate any genuine cessation of strikes on civilian energy systems. Analysts note that while short-term pauses have occurred sporadically, they have rarely led to sustained diplomatic breakthroughs. The coming days will test whether this gesture evolves into a more stable ceasefire or remains a fleeting tactical pause.
Reactions & Analysis:
"This is a fragile but necessary opening. Any reduction in violence saves lives and creates space for dialogue. However, past experience urges caution—Russia has used similar pauses to regroup forces."
– David Chen, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center
"It’s astonishing that a former U.S. president is conducting freelance diplomacy with an adversary actively waging war. This undermines official U.S. policy and lends legitimacy to Moscow's narrative. A one-week pause does not absolve years of aggression."
– Elena Rodriguez, Foreign Policy Analyst at the Center for Strategic Integrity
"Finally, a glimpse of pragmatism. Whether driven by weather, diplomacy, or fatigue, stopping strikes—even temporarily—is a step away from the abyss. Civilian infrastructure must be spared, and this could set a precedent."
– Michael Byrne, Former UN Humanitarian Coordinator
"A cynical ploy. This 'pause' is a PR stunt meant to divide Western support and test Ukraine's resolve. Without verified, nationwide ceasefire and withdrawal commitments, it's just another Kremlin manipulation."
– Anya Petrova, Political Commentator for Eastern Europe Watch
(Reporting by Reuters; Writing and analysis by Mark Trevelyan and Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Timothy Heritage)