In a dramatic breakthrough, President Donald Trump announced that Russia has agreed to halt attacks on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and other cities for a full week during the brutal cold snap. Speaking from Washington on January 30, Trump credited his personal intervention with Russian President Vladimir Putin for this humanitarian gesture, aimed at sparing civilians from further misery in freezing conditions.
Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff briefed the cabinet on the rapid progress in peace negotiations. Witkoff revealed that Ukrainian officials acknowledged unprecedented advancements since Geneva talks, surpassing four years of stalled efforts. Recent meetings in Abu Dhabi with five Russian generals yielded substantial gains, he said, with discussions set to resume in about a week.
‘We have a security protocol agreement that’s nearly complete, and a prosperity deal that’s far along,’ Witkoff stated optimistically. He emphasized that Ukrainians are now hopeful for a swift peace accord. Trump detailed his direct call to Putin, overriding advisors who warned against it. ‘The cold is record-breaking… I asked him personally not to fire on Kyiv and towns for a week, and he agreed,’ Trump recounted.
This comes as Ukraine endures its fourth year of war, with massive casualties and infrastructure devastation. Witkoff praised Trump’s negotiation strategy and presence as pivotal, shifting what seemed impossible. The U.S. administration touts its ‘peace through strength’ policy, with multi-level talks ongoing between America, Russia, and Ukraine. As temperatures plummet to U.S.-like lows, this pause offers a glimmer of relief and hope for lasting resolution.