• Trump claims Putin has agreed to pause attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities for one week due to extreme cold.
• Record-low temperatures are forecast, dropping as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Despite Trump's announcement, ongoing Russian attacks continue to target Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

US President Donald Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed not to target Kyiv and other cities for one week as temperatures drop to extreme lows. Trump made this announcement during a Cabinet meeting, emphasizing the dire conditions Ukraine faces this winter. "I personally asked President Putin not to fire on Kyiv and the cities and towns for a week during this extraordinary cold," said Trump. He expressed satisfaction with Putin's supposed agreement, highlighting the humanitarian implications of ongoing attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, which have left millions without basic services, according to SCMP, India Times, Le Monde, Channel News Asia, LA Times, and BBC.

In his remarks, Trump noted that civilians in Ukraine have been struggling immensely with the existing "extraordinary cold", as forecasts suggest temperatures could plummet to as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius in the coming days. He described the cold snap as "record-setting" and shared concerns over the humanitarian crisis that might ensue from continued attacks during this period of harsh winter, according to SCMP, India Times, Le Monde, Channel News Asia, LA Times, and BBC.

Despite the announcement, Russian bombardment of Ukraine's critical infrastructure has continued unabated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed cautious optimism regarding Trump's statement while warning about potential new attacks from Russia. As both sides gear up for further negotiations, experts indicate that Russia has not formally confirmed any agreement regarding the pause in attacks, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the situation, as reported by SCMP, India Times, Le Monde, Channel News Asia, LA Times, and BBC.