Why Putin Agreed to Pause Kyiv Strikes

Trump says extreme cold led to week-long halt as diplomatic signals emerge

January 30, 2026: US President Donald Trump on Thursday said Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to temporarily pause missile strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities for a week due to extreme winter conditions. Addressing a Cabinet meeting, Trump said he personally spoke to Putin and urged him to halt attacks on humanitarian grounds, citing the severe cold affecting civilians. According to Trump, Putin accepted the request despite scepticism from advisers who believed the call would yield no results.

Trump described the move as significant, saying the pause was aimed at sparing civilians additional suffering during unusually harsh weather. He said Ukraine reacted positively to the development and was relieved by the decision. “It’s not what they need — missiles coming into towns when it’s this cold,” Trump remarked, adding that Kyiv was “very happy” to hear about the temporary halt.

The announcement comes even as hostilities continue in parts of Ukraine, with officials reporting deaths in a Russian drone attack in the Zaporizhzhia region. Meanwhile, Russia has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Moscow for peace talks, signalling a possible diplomatic opening ahead of US-mediated negotiations expected this weekend. Kremlin officials said Moscow is willing to host talks and provide security guarantees if Zelenskyy agrees to attend.