Russian officials said on Friday that President Vladimir Putin received a direct request from U.S. President Donald Trump to pause strikes on Kyiv until February 1, with the stated purpose of creating a more favourable atmosphere for peace negotiations.
The Kremlin provided no additional detail when approached about the request and how Moscow intends to respond. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined further comment when asked to expand on the matter.
Separately, Ukrainian authorities have said they would offer reciprocal measures if Russia refrains from attacking the nation's energy infrastructure during a period of intensely cold weather. That statement frames the energy sector as an explicit element in the dialogue around any temporary lull in strikes.
Officials had arranged a new round of trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States to convene in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, however, indicated on Friday that the meeting's date or location could be subject to change.
The available information is limited to the points above: a reported personal request from the U.S. president, an absence of a fuller Kremlin response beyond Peskov's refusal to comment, a Ukrainian conditional offer tied specifically to protection of energy infrastructure, and the planned Abu Dhabi talks with a possible shift in schedule or venue.
Summary of facts
- Russian President Vladimir Putin was reportedly asked by U.S. President Donald Trump to halt strikes on Kyiv until February 1 to help create a favourable environment for peace negotiations.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined further comment when questioned about the request and Russia's response.
- Ukraine has said it will reciprocate if Russia abstains from strikes on its energy infrastructure amid bitterly cold weather.
- A trilateral meeting between Russia, Ukraine and the United States was scheduled for Abu Dhabi on Sunday, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that the date or location could change.
Given the limited public statements, the scope of any pause, the specific terms under which it would operate, and whether the planned Abu Dhabi talks will proceed as scheduled remain unclear based on the information released so far.