US President Donald Trump says Russia's Vladimir Putin has agreed not to attack Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and other cities and towns for a week due to 'extraordinary cold' weather.
Russia has not confirmed any such agreement, but Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Trump's announcement and said he expected Russia to keep its promise.
Trump did not specify when the pause would begin, but temperatures in the Ukrainian capital are due to plummet from Thursday night and could reach -24C (-11F) in the next few days.
Russia has been ramping up attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure during the harsh winter, leading to severe power outages across major cities.
Speaking at a televised cabinet meeting, Trump stated: 'I personally asked President Putin not to fire into Kyiv and the various towns for a week, and he agreed to do that.' He added that many people were skeptical if he could achieve this outcome.
Ukrainians reportedly expressed disbelief but relief over the announcement, indicating a dire need for stability as they endure difficult winter conditions.
In a later statement, Zelensky underscored the importance of Trump's remarks regarding security for Kyiv and discussed intentions of implementing this agreement during discussions held in the UAE.
However, it remains to be seen if Putin will stick to this temporary pause, as recent actions have left millions in Ukraine in the dark amid freezing temperatures.
