Russia to Stop Attacking Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure until February 1: Kremlin

Russia will halt attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure until February 1, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, describing the move as a temporary measure intended to create conditions for possible negotiations.

Peskov said Moscow’s decision would not undermine Russia’s military position if the pause is not extended. He added that a longer halt could allow Ukraine to restore power grids, adjust logistics, and rebuild parts of its energy supply system linked to small defense industry enterprises producing unmanned aerial vehicles. He also claimed that many startups supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces are already based outside Ukraine, including in Poland, Germany, France, the U.K., and the U.S., according to Russian Arms, which reported his comments on Friday.

The announcement followed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who earlier said Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to stop strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for one week after a personal appeal made due to extreme winter conditions. “I personally asked President Putin not to fire into Kyiv and various towns for a week and he agreed to do that,” Trump said during a cabinet meeting at the White House. “I have to tell you it was very nice.”

Trump said the request was made during an unreported phone call with Putin but did not specify when the pause would begin or end. The short-term ceasefire was first mentioned publicly during the White House meeting of Trump’s senior advisers on Thursday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later wrote that a halt in strikes on power plants and other critical energy facilities had been discussed and that he “expects the agreements to be implemented.” Zelenskyy added, “The situation is unfolding overnight and the reality at our energy facilities and in our cities will reflect this in the coming days.”

Earlier on Thursday, the Kremlin declined to comment on whether an energy-related ceasefire had been negotiated. Trump said he had informed Ukrainian officials about the arrangement, stating, “Ukraine … almost didn’t believe it but they were very happy about it.”