Trump personally requested Putin delay attacks on Kyiv until February 1 to create favorable conditions for negotiations, according to the Kremlin.
Trump’s Direct Request to Putin
President Trump personally contacted President Putin requesting a one-week postponement of attacks on Kyiv, until February 1, to create favorable conditions for negotiations, stated Kremlin spokesperson Dmitrij Pieskow. Pieskow did not specify whether the Russian leader agreed to the request or what type of “attack” was being referenced.
“I have nothing to add to what has already been said. I want to once again emphasize that we are talking about creating favorable conditions for negotiations,” Pieskowski noted.
On Thursday (January 29), Donald Trump announced he had asked Vladimir Putin for a several-day halt to attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that talks with Russia had taken place on this matter.
Ukraine and Russia Exchange Accusations
Meanwhile, over 100 Russian drones and at least one missile attacked Ukraine overnight. Explosions were heard in Kharkiv in the morning, with local media reporting the city was struck by a Russian ballistic missile. Ukrainian airspace continued to contain strike drones. Ukrainian Armed Forces reported Russian drones in the Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy regions.
Russia accused Ukraine of launching drone attacks on Russian cities. Both Ukraine and Russia are preparing for extreme cold weather. Temperatures around -30°C are expected in Kharkiv, Kyiv, and even Lviv. Moscow recorded -19°C. Ukrainian cities face serious energy problems with many homes lacking electricity, water, and heating.
Energy Infrastructure Under Focus
Trump specifically requested Putin halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for several days. Zelensky confirmed that talks between Ukraine and Russia had occurred regarding this issue, though Pieskov initially stated “I cannot say anything on this matter yet.”