U.S. President Donald Trump said Vladimir Putin kept his word on a weeklong pause in attacks on Ukrainian cities. Trump told reporters the truce lasted from Sunday to Sunday, after which Russia resumed missile strikes. He added, “We’ll take anything, because it’s really, really cold over there.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the pause actually began last Friday, a day after Trump announced the deal. The truce aimed to protect Ukraine during freezing winter temperatures and to support ongoing U.S.-led peace talks. Talks between Ukraine and Russia resumed Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.
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Zelenskyy criticized Russia’s missile attacks, noting they targeted energy infrastructure despite the U.S. proposal. He also called on the U.S. Congress to approve new sanctions against Russia to increase pressure on Moscow. European partners were urged to take action against Russian oil revenues linked to the war.
The pause was never formalized as an official agreement, Zelenskyy emphasized. Both sides, however, reportedly followed the American proposal to avoid striking each other’s energy facilities during prior diplomacy in Abu Dhabi. Trump described Putin’s actions as keeping his word, even if attacks resumed afterward.
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Analysts say the situation underscores ongoing tension between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine. While temporary pauses may reduce civilian hardship in winter, Ukraine’s leadership insists sustained pressure and sanctions are necessary for meaningful peace progress.