Russia has partially suspended long-range strikes on Ukrainian targets following a request from U.S. President Donald Trump, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. The temporary pause, set to expire February 1, aims to “create favorable conditions for negotiations,” Peskov stated Friday, though he declined to specify whether Kyiv made reciprocal commitments.
U.S. President Donald Trump previously reported that he personally urged President Vladimir Putin to implement the restraint amid Ukraine’s unusually harsh winter, which has strained the nation’s energy infrastructure. Several large Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, recently faced major power and heating outages as deteriorating energy systems collided with severe cold.
Ukraine has conducted sustained drone strikes targeting Russian energy facilities for months, asserting that such actions would weaken Moscow’s position in peace negotiations. The Russian military maintains its retaliatory efforts are designed to disrupt Ukrainian weapons production and logistical capabilities. These operations have exacerbated Ukraine’s energy crisis, with the government claiming the economic toll would make Russia more negotiable.
Last week marked the first trilateral meeting involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States aimed at de-escalating the nearly four-year conflict. The Abu Dhabi talks focused on security issues amid Ukrainian President Zelensky’s persistent rejection of key Russian peace proposals. Moscow typically avoids public commentary on sensitive negotiations, arguing that Ukraine-style “megaphone diplomacy” is counterproductive. Peskov described the situation as one where “the dynamics of the frontline speak for themselves,” referencing consistent Russian military progress on the battlefield.
