WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed not to strike Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv for a week as the nation experiences extreme cold temperatures.
During a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Thursday, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump were discussing the latest on the war in Ukraine.
That’s when President Trump says he “personally asked” Putin not to strike Kyiv and other cities and towns because of the weather.
“I personally asked President Putin not to fire on Kyiv and the cities and towns for a week during this. It’s extraordinary. It’s not just like cold. It’s extraordinary cold,” Trump said, describing it as a “big pile of bad weather.”
I have to tell you, I was very nervous. A lot of people said don’t waste the call, you’re not going to get that. And he did it and we’re very happy that they did it.”
Witkoff praised Trump, saying, “I think it shows Mr. President, how you, you provide an overarching, sort of presence in these negotiations.”
Recently, Russia continued to strike Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, leaving many in the nation to endure the winter without heat.
On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Moscow was planning another large-scale strike despite plans for more U.S.-led peace talks this weekend.
Witkoff said Thursday that “a lot of progress” was made in recent talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States and was optimistic for a deal.
We have a security protocol agreement that’s largely finished. A prosperity agreement that’s largely, largely finished. And I think the people of Ukraine are now hopeful and expecting that we are going to deliver a peace deal sometime soon,” Witkoff said.
Zelenskyy thanked President Trump for his efforts in a{a href=”{<}{>}blockquote class=”}post on X on Thursday.
“An important statement by @POTUS about the possibility of providing security for Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities during this extreme winter period. Power supply is a foundation of life. We value the efforts of our partners to help us protect lives. Thank you, President Trump!”
Zelenskyy said their teams discussed this in the United Arab Emirates talks last weekend.
We expect the agreements to be implemented. De-escalation steps contribute to real progress toward ending the war.”
The Kremlin did not immediately confirm that Putin agreed to the pause and Trump did not say when the call with Putin happened or when the ceasefire would go into effect.
_______
The Associated Press contributed to this report.