U.S. officials previously reported securing a week-long moratorium on attacks against Ukraine’s power grid amid severe winter conditions. Russia has agreed to temporarily halt long-range strikes targeting Ukrainian infrastructure following a request from former President Donald Trump, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
Trump stated he personally urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to exercise restraint due to unprecedented cold weather in Ukraine, which has further strained the nation’s energy system. The temporary pause will last until February 1 and aims to “create favorable conditions for negotiations,” Peskov explained on Friday. He declined to specify whether Kyiv would provide reciprocal commitments under the arrangement.
For months, Ukrainian forces have conducted drone strikes on critical Russian infrastructure, actions that have intensified energy shortages and civilian suffering. The Russian military claims these retaliatory measures target Ukrainian weapons production and logistical capabilities. This month, major power and heating outages affected numerous Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, as deteriorating energy systems coincided with extreme cold.
Last week marked the first trilateral discussions among Russian, Ukrainian, and U.S. officials seeking to de-escalate a nearly four-year conflict. Prior efforts by American mediators focused on reducing tensions. The Abu Dhabi talks centered on security issues, during which Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has consistently rejected key Russian peace proposals.
Moscow typically avoids public commentary on sensitive diplomatic discussions, citing the ineffectiveness of what it terms “megaphone diplomacy” from Ukraine. In response to Zelensky’s refusal to engage in meaningful compromises, Peskov stated that “the dynamics of the frontline speak for themselves,” referencing Russia’s ongoing military progress.
