Ukrainian officials said the suspension applies mainly to attacks on energy infrastructure, which has been repeatedly targeted during winter. The move comes as temperatures in Kyiv are forecast to plunge dramatically, raising fears of widespread humanitarian hardship.

Authorities in Ukraine said they are prepared to reciprocate by halting strikes on certain Russian infrastructure during this period. However, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stressed that there is no binding truce or signed agreement between the two sides.

The decision follows intense diplomatic pressure from Washington, which has been pushing for limited confidence-building measures. Officials described the pause as an opportunity to explore negotiations rather than a breakthrough toward ending the war.

Kyiv has suffered repeated blackouts and heating outages due to sustained attacks on power facilities. With winter conditions worsening, any interruption to electricity and heating poses serious risks to civilian life.

Ukrainian authorities confirmed that no overnight strikes were reported on major energy facilities after the announcement. Still, military officials warned that Russia has shifted focus toward logistics and supply routes in recent days.

In Moscow, officials acknowledged that the request came directly from Trump and was accepted to create space for talks. They emphasized that the halt is temporary and conditional, not a permanent change in military strategy.

Residents of Kyiv remain skeptical that the pause will hold or lead to lasting relief. Many say they have grown accustomed to short-lived promises that fail to stop long-term attacks.

“I don’t trust any of it,” said a retired resident in the capital, reflecting widespread public doubt. People fear that strikes could resume at full force once the pause expires.

Ukraine’s air defenses have been stretched thin after months of heavy drone and missile attacks. Delays in deliveries of air defense systems have worsened the country’s ability to protect major cities.

Officials said European funding delays affected shipments of key defensive equipment through U.S. programs. This left Kyiv vulnerable during recent waves of strikes that knocked out heating across entire districts.

Despite the halt over Kyiv, Ukrainian military sources reported continued clashes and strikes in other regions. Fighting remains intense along eastern front lines, particularly in the Donetsk region.

Russia continues to advance slowly in contested areas, maintaining pressure far beyond the capital. Analysts say this underscores how limited and fragile the current pause really is.

Weather forecasts indicate temperatures could drop as low as minus 26 degrees Celsius from Sunday. Hundreds of residential buildings are still without heating, deepening concerns for elderly and vulnerable residents.

Diplomatic efforts remain complicated by unresolved issues, especially territory and control of strategic sites. Ukraine has firmly rejected any proposal that involves surrendering land captured during the war.

Officials said the idea of suspending strikes on energy facilities was discussed during recent talks abroad. Future meetings may be delayed or relocated due to shifting global diplomatic priorities.

Despite cautious language from leaders, many Ukrainians see little reason for optimism. They say survival through another harsh winter remains the immediate priority.

Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said discussions involving Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin had reached a stage where an agreement to halt the conflict was now within reach.

Trump told global leaders and business executives that he has been directly engaging with Putin, whom he described as willing to strike a deal, while also believing that Zelenskiy is prepared to move forward toward a settlement.

The remarks come as diplomatic efforts intensify ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which will be marked on February 24, keeping international attention firmly focused on the conflict.

Trump said that although earlier attempts at reaching an agreement had failed, the current situation felt different, suggesting that both sides may finally be ready to compromise after years of bloodshed and stalemate.

He described the potential deal as “reasonably close,” adding that Washington was now edging toward brokering a ceasefire agreement that could pave the way for broader peace talks.

Confusion briefly surrounded the timing of Trump’s proposed meeting with Zelenskiy, as the U.S. president initially said it would take place later on Wednesday, a claim disputed by a source familiar with the Ukrainian leader’s schedule.

Trump later clarified that the meeting was expected to happen on Thursday, underscoring the fast-moving and fluid nature of diplomatic engagements at Davos.

The U.S. president acknowledged that personal tensions between Zelenskiy and Putin had previously derailed negotiations, describing what he called “abnormal hatred” between the two leaders as a major obstacle.

Only a week earlier, Trump had publicly suggested that Zelenskiy was the main impediment to a peace agreement, comments that sparked concern and debate among Ukraine’s allies.

On Wednesday, however, Trump struck a more optimistic tone, saying he believed both leaders were now at a point where they could “come together and get a deal done.”

He stressed the urgency of stopping the war, warning bluntly that failure to reach an agreement despite the current opportunity would reflect poorly on all parties involved.

Trump’s comments have drawn mixed reactions from diplomats and analysts, some of whom see renewed U.S. engagement as a potential catalyst for peace, while others remain sceptical given past failed negotiations.

European leaders attending Davos are watching closely, as any U.S.-brokered deal could reshape security dynamics across the continent and redefine transatlantic relations.

Ukraine’s war effort has relied heavily on Western military and financial support, making Washington’s role central to any negotiated outcome with Moscow.

Russia, meanwhile, has signalled openness to dialogue in recent weeks, though Kyiv and its supporters remain wary of concessions that could undermine Ukrainian sovereignty.

The prospect of a Trump-Zelenskiy meeting has heightened expectations at Davos, where geopolitical tensions have already dominated discussions alongside economic concerns.

As Trump continues to push his personal brand of high-stakes diplomacy, the coming days may determine whether his confidence in a “reasonably close” deal translates into tangible progress on ending Europe’s most devastating conflict in decades.

The meeting, to take place in Florida, reflects growing momentum around a structured peace framework that both Kyiv and Washington believe could unlock progress after years of devastating conflict.

Zelenskiy has indicated that the discussions will focus on the most sensitive and complex issues, including territorial questions and long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.

He expressed optimism that meaningful decisions could be reached before the New Year, underlining a sense of urgency and opportunity in the current diplomatic window.

Central to the talks is a nearly finalized 20-point peace framework, which Ukrainian officials say is close to completion and designed to provide a comprehensive roadmap toward a ceasefire.

Alongside this, a bilateral security guarantee agreement between Ukraine and the United States is also nearing readiness, signaling Washington’s continued commitment to Ukraine’s future stability.

Zelenskiy has emphasized that any discussions on territory are being approached with caution, transparency, and respect for democratic principles.

He has reiterated that decisions involving land or sovereignty must ultimately be made by the Ukrainian people, potentially through a national referendum if a ceasefire is agreed.

The Donbas region remains one of the most challenging elements of the negotiations, given its strategic importance and the heavy toll the fighting has taken on civilians and infrastructure.

Ukraine has consistently maintained that halting hostilities along current battle lines is essential to saving lives and creating space for long-term political solutions.

Another key topic expected on the agenda is the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, which has become a symbol of the risks the war poses beyond the battlefield.

Ensuring the plant’s safety and preventing further escalation around critical infrastructure remains a shared priority for international stakeholders.

Zelenskiy has also signaled openness to discussing economic cooperation as part of a broader peace package, viewing recovery and reconstruction as inseparable from security.

Such economic discussions could lay the groundwork for post-war rebuilding, foreign investment, and renewed regional integration once hostilities subside.

The upcoming talks follow parallel engagements between Russian and U.S. officials, suggesting intensified diplomatic activity across multiple channels.

Observers note that sustained engagement among major powers increases the likelihood of narrowing differences and identifying practical compromises.

Despite continued violence on the ground, Ukrainian leaders stress that diplomacy must move forward alongside defense efforts.

Recent attacks have reinforced the urgency of reaching an agreement that can protect civilians and stabilize frontline regions.

Zelenskiy has described the Florida meeting as an opportunity to refine existing drafts, resolve outstanding details, and assess whether conditions are right for formal agreements.

While no confirmation has been given that documents will be signed during the visit, Ukrainian officials have made clear that they are prepared for tangible outcomes.

International analysts view the talks as a potential turning point, particularly given the advanced stage of the proposed peace framework.

The involvement of top leadership on both sides underscores the seriousness with which the negotiations are being treated.

For Ukraine, the objective remains clear: a just and lasting peace that preserves sovereignty, ensures security, and enables national recovery.

For the United States, facilitating an end to the conflict aligns with broader goals of regional stability and global security.

As the meeting approaches, expectations are cautiously hopeful, with diplomats emphasizing progress over symbolism.

The coming days may prove decisive in shaping the next phase of the war and the prospects for peace in Europe.