Trump Asks Putin to Pause Kyiv Strikes During Brutal Cold Spell/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump says he personally asked Vladimir Putin to pause Russian attacks on Kyiv during a severe winter freeze. Russia has not confirmed the agreement, as Ukraine continues to face relentless strikes on infrastructure. Ukrainian officials warn of more large-scale attacks ahead despite ongoing peace talks.
Trump’s Kyiv Ceasefire Request Quick Looks
- Trump’s Claim: Asked Putin to pause Kyiv strikes for one week
- Russia’s Response: No confirmation from Kremlin; Peskov declined comment
- Reason for Request: Brutal cold front expected across Ukraine
- Ongoing Attacks: Russia continues targeting Ukraine’s power grid
- Recent Strike: Drone attack kills 3 in Zaporizhzhia, injuries elsewhere
- Civilian Toll: Over 2,500 civilians killed in Ukraine in 2025
- Peace Talks: Set to resume Sunday, though prospects are uncertain
- Zelenskyy’s Warning: Russia may be planning major new aerial assault
- Starlink Controversy: Ukraine urges Musk’s SpaceX to restrict Russian usage
- EU Response: Europe urges more pressure on Russia, doubts Moscow’s sincerity
Deep Look
Trump Says He Asked Putin to Pause Attacks on Kyiv Amid Freezing Temperatures
KYIV, Ukraine — U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that he asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to pause missile and drone strikes on Kyiv and surrounding areas during an upcoming deep freeze — and claimed that Putin agreed. However, no official confirmation has come from the Kremlin.
Trump’s remarks, made during a White House Cabinet meeting, come as Ukraine braces for subzero temperatures and continues to suffer from repeated attacks on its critical energy infrastructure.
“I personally asked President Putin not to fire on Kyiv and the cities and towns for a week during this extraordinary cold,” Trump said. “He agreed, and we’re very happy that they did it.”
Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities are expected to experience some of the coldest temperatures in years, with forecasts predicting a brutal winter spell through next week.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to comment when asked about the alleged ceasefire request or any potential talks between Russia and Ukraine regarding halting strikes on energy facilities.
Ongoing Assaults and Civilian Impact
Despite Trump’s announcement, Russian strikes have not let up. Overnight Wednesday, a Russian drone attack killed three civilians in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, setting a residential building ablaze. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, fires caused by strikes injured at least two more people.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said intelligence indicates Russia is preparing for another large-scale aerial attack. Previous waves have involved hundreds of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic projectiles aimed at disabling Ukraine’s power grid.
Zelenskyy dismissed ongoing peace efforts, stating that each new Russian strike “discredits” the diplomatic process.
The United Nations reports that 2025 was Ukraine’s deadliest year for civilians since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. At least 2,514 civilians were killed and over 12,000 injured, marking a 31% increase over 2024.
Winter Warfare and Weaponized Infrastructure
Russia has increasingly focused its military campaign on Ukrainian infrastructure, aiming to deprive civilians of heat, electricity, and clean water. Ukrainian officials describe the strategy as “weaponizing winter” in an attempt to break public resistance.
With temperatures in some areas expected to plunge as low as -30°C (-22°F) in early February, the humanitarian situation could deteriorate rapidly.
Starlink Controversy and Tech in Warfare
Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov revealed Thursday that Ukraine is in talks with Elon Musk’s SpaceX over concerns that Russia may be using Starlink satellite services to assist drone attacks.
Fedorov said Ukrainian authorities proposed technical solutions to restrict Russian access to the system. He thanked Musk and SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell for their swift engagement, though Starlink has previously sought to limit its military applications.
Skepticism Over Peace Talks
As peace negotiations are expected to resume Sunday, skepticism remains high over Moscow’s commitment to a diplomatic solution. The European Union’s foreign policy chief and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas both said Russia is escalating its attacks precisely because it’s losing ground militarily.
“They are attacking civilians because they can’t win on the battlefield,” Kallas said during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. She urged greater European involvement in the peace process, expressing concern that Trump’s administration may sideline EU interests.
High Human Cost and Grim Statistics
A new report from an international conflict research group estimates that total military casualties on both sides could approach 2 million by spring. Russian losses are reportedly the highest suffered by a major military power since World War II.
Ukrainian officials also confirmed Thursday that Russia returned the bodies of around 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers. In exchange, Ukraine handed over the remains of 38 Russian troops, according to Russian lawmaker Shamsail Saraliev, who has helped coordinate the exchanges.
Conclusion
Trump’s claim that he secured a temporary ceasefire for Kyiv remains unverified by Russia, and attacks continue across Ukraine. As winter worsens and diplomatic efforts stumble, the Ukrainian population faces intensified hardship, and the international community questions whether a lasting resolution is any closer.
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