Trump Announces Temporary Halt to Russian Attacks in Ukraine
On January 29, 2026, President Donald Trump revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has consented to pause military attacks on Kiev and several other Ukrainian cities for one week. This decision aims to facilitate humanitarian relief as Ukraine faces extreme cold weather.
During a cabinet meeting, Trump emphasized the severity of the conditions, sharing, “It’s because of the cold. It’s extremely cold. They’re just like us. I personally asked President Putin not to shoot in Kiev and its cities and towns for a week.” He elaborated that the weather is unprecedented, noting, “They said they’ve never experienced weather like that.”
While Trump expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, it has yet to be officially confirmed by the Russian government. Recent Russian assaults have targeted Ukraine’s essential infrastructure, significantly impacting public morale and leaving many without heating in the harsh winter.
Some had voiced skepticism about whether Trump’s request would be taken seriously. However, he shared, “A lot of people said, ‘Don’t waste your call. That’s not going to be listened to.’ And he did that. And we’re very happy, because all they need now is missiles raining down on their towns and cities.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed gratitude for the “life-saving” assistance, stating, “We respect our partners’ efforts to save lives.” He highlighted the joint discussions held regarding securing humanitarian support during this dire situation.
The impacts of Russia’s consistent shelling have been severe, damaging crucial power plants and public facilities, which has complicated the humanitarian crisis for civilians. Over a million Ukrainians now face electricity shortages, with authorities working urgently to establish emergency warming centers and food distribution points.
In the capital, more than 700 buildings have lost heating, leaving vulnerable populations—including families and the elderly—in extremely low temperatures, with daytime highs barely above -1°C (30°F) and nighttime lows dropping as low as -25°C (-13°F).
Zelenskiy shared updates on the situation, stating that rapid decision-making is essential at the municipal level in Kyiv to expedite repair efforts, which are already operating at full capacity. However, ongoing attacks on recently repaired facilities are complicating these efforts further.
As the situation remains critical, reports of emergency power outages affecting approximately 80% of the country have arisen. In light of the humanitarian challenges, the European Union has pledged €153 million (about $183 million) in emergency aid to help stabilize Ukraine’s energy system.
With forecasts predicting even colder temperatures in the upcoming days, the urgency for de-escalation becomes increasingly apparent. The humanitarian risks are rising, underscoring the need for immediate action.
