According to Trump, the appeal was made on humanitarian grounds due to freezing temperatures and the strain on civilian infrastructure. “I asked him not to fire during this period of extraordinary cold, and he agreed,” Trump said. However, the White House did not provide details of when or how the request was conveyed, and there has been no confirmation from the Kremlin or Russian defence authorities regarding any pause in attacks.

The remarks came as Trump marked the completion of one year of his current term, during which he also addressed a range of domestic and international issues. His statement on Ukraine drew immediate attention as Russia has continued strikes on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure in recent weeks, particularly targeting power and heating facilities.

Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, reported ongoing Russian drone and missile attacks, including overnight strikes in southern Zaporizhzhia that killed at least three people. Kyiv has not indicated any observable reduction in Russian military activity around the capital following Trump’s claim.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said intelligence assessments suggest Moscow is preparing for another large-scale aerial assault despite proposed US-brokered peace talks expected to resume later this week. “Every Russian attack undermines the idea of negotiations,” Zelensky said, warning that continued strikes cast doubt on Moscow’s commitment to dialogue.

The humanitarian situation in Ukraine has worsened as repeated attacks on the power grid have left millions without electricity, heating, or access to clean drinking water during one of the coldest winters in years. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service warned that temperatures could fall to minus 30 degrees Celsius in some regions in early February.

Trump’s comments were part of broader remarks in which he claimed progress on energy production, artificial intelligence leadership, and foreign policy initiatives. However, his assertion regarding Putin’s agreement remains unverified.

European Union officials have expressed scepticism about Russia’s intentions, accusing Moscow of using negotiations to buy time while continuing military operations. In Brussels, the EU’s top diplomat called for increased pressure on Russia to ensure meaningful engagement in peace talks.

According to international estimates, casualties on both sides of the conflict—killed, wounded, or missing—could approach two million by spring. Ukrainian defence officials reported that Russia launched more than 6,000 drones in the past month alone, underscoring the intensity of the ongoing campaign.

Investigations and diplomatic efforts continue as winter deepens, with uncertainty surrounding any informal or formal pause in hostilities.