What's happened
On January 29-30, 2026, US President Donald Trump personally requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities for one week due to extreme cold. Putin agreed, leading to a temporary pause in Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, easing humanitarian concerns amid freezing temperatures. Ukraine reciprocated by suspending attacks on Russian energy targets during this period.
What's behind the headline?
Temporary Ceasefire Amid Harsh Winter
The week-long pause in Russian strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, brokered through a personal request by US President Trump to President Putin, represents a rare humanitarian gesture in a brutal conflict. This ceasefire is explicitly linked to the extreme cold weather, with temperatures forecasted to plunge as low as -30°C, threatening civilian lives without heating.
Strategic and Diplomatic Implications
While framed as a goodwill gesture to facilitate peace talks, the ceasefire also serves tactical purposes. Russia's prior attacks on energy infrastructure aimed to erode Ukrainian resistance during winter. The pause may allow both sides to regroup and test diplomatic waters ahead of ongoing negotiations in Abu Dhabi, where territorial disputes remain a major sticking point.
Limitations and Risks
The ceasefire is limited in scope and duration, with no formal written agreement and uncertainty about its enforcement beyond Kyiv and select towns. Russian drone and missile attacks continued in other regions, indicating the pause is partial. Ukraine's reciprocal suspension of attacks on Russian energy targets underscores the fragile, conditional nature of this truce.
Outlook
This ceasefire will likely provide temporary relief to civilians facing a humanitarian crisis but does not signal an imminent end to hostilities. The entrenched territorial conflict and strategic objectives of both sides suggest that fighting will resume after February 1. However, the ceasefire could open pathways for further dialogue if sustained and expanded.
Impact on Civilians
The pause in attacks on energy infrastructure during record-setting cold weather is critical for civilian survival, reducing immediate suffering from power outages and heating loss. Yet, the humanitarian crisis remains severe, and the long-term wellbeing of Ukrainians depends on a durable peace settlement.
What the papers say
The New York Times reported that President Zelensky expressed cautious optimism, stating, “We hope the United States can make this happen,” while noting no official ceasefire was confirmed. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to The Moscow Times that Putin agreed to the week-long pause, describing it as a gesture to create "more hospitable conditions for negotiations," without mentioning the cold explicitly. France 24 highlighted the humanitarian context, noting Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy grid amid plunging temperatures and the risk of a crisis. SBS emphasized the severe winter conditions and the resulting disruptions to heating and water supplies, quoting Trump’s personal appeal to Putin. The Mirror provided Trump's detailed remarks on the extreme cold and his surprise at Putin's agreement, while also contextualizing Russia's strategy as "weaponising winter." These varied perspectives collectively illustrate the ceasefire's humanitarian motivation, diplomatic nuances, and ongoing conflict dynamics.
How we got here
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow has targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages and heating shortages during harsh winters. This strategy aims to weaken Ukrainian morale. Negotiations for peace have been ongoing but stalled, with territorial disputes unresolved. The recent ceasefire request coincides with a severe cold spell and renewed diplomatic talks in Abu Dhabi.
Go deeper
- What led Trump to request a ceasefire with Putin?
- How has the ceasefire affected civilians in Kyiv?
- What are the prospects for peace talks after this pause?
Common question
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What’s the latest on Ukraine’s ceasefire efforts and global political shifts?
Recent headlines reveal a complex picture of international diplomacy, conflicts, and political upheavals. From Ukraine’s winter struggles and alleged ceasefire talks to major moves by UK and China, and political changes in Burkina Faso, these stories raise many questions. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening and what it means for regional and global stability.
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What’s the Latest on the Ukraine Ceasefire and Why It Matters
A recent week-long ceasefire in Ukraine, brokered by US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, has sparked many questions. Why was this ceasefire agreed upon? How long will it last? What does it mean for Ukraine, Russia, and the wider conflict? Below, we explore the key details and answer the most common questions about this significant development.
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What Do Recent Global Political Moves in Ukraine, Burkina Faso, and the US Mean?
Recent events across Ukraine, Burkina Faso, and the United States have sparked widespread interest and concern. From a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine to Burkina Faso's political upheaval and new documentary releases about Melania Trump, these stories raise questions about stability, power, and future conflicts. Here, we explore what these developments could mean for the world and how leaders are responding to these crises.
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What’s next for Ukraine after the ceasefire?
The recent week-long ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine has raised many questions about the future of the conflict. Will this pause lead to lasting peace or is it just a temporary break? How are civilians coping during this period, and what are Ukraine’s next steps? Here’s what you need to know about the current situation and what might come next.
More on these topics
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Kyiv, also Kiev, is the capital and most populous city of Ukraine. Located in the north-central part of the country, it straddles both banks of the Dnieper River. As of January 2022, the population of Kyiv was 2,952,301, making it the seventh-most populou
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.
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Dmitry Sergeyevich Peskov is a Russian diplomat, translator and Turkologist. Since 2012, Peskov has been the Press Secretary for the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.