Washington, Jan 30 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump announced that Russia has committed to a temporary halt in attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian urban areas for a week due to severe cold conditions. This development comes as his envoy highlighted a surge in diplomatic activity following the recent Geneva talks.

Trump instructed special envoy Steve Witkoff to update his Cabinet members on the diplomatic efforts. Witkoff remarked, "The Ukrainians have expressed that we’ve achieved more progress recently than they have observed in the last four years of the conflict since Geneva."

Witkoff noted that US representatives have engaged in discussions with their Russian counterparts. "We had five Russian generals in Abu Dhabi last Sunday along with Jared, Dan Driscoll, and myself," he conveyed. "We believe significant progress was made."

He confirmed that the discussions will continue. "We will reconvene in about a week," Witkoff mentioned.

He described draft frameworks that are beginning to take shape. "We have nearly finalized a security protocol and a prosperity agreement," he stated. He added, "The Ukrainian people seem to be feeling hopeful and expectant about a potential peace deal in the near future."

Trump specifically made a direct appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Due to the extreme cold... I personally requested President Putin to refrain from attacking Kiev and surrounding areas for a week during this period," Trump explained.

"And he agreed to that," Trump confirmed.

Trump shared that his advisers had cautioned him against making the call. "Many advised me not to bother, thinking it would be futile," he said. "Yet, he did it."

According to Trump, this pause is crucial for humanitarian reasons. "Ukraine is facing severe challenges," he remarked. "They are struggling tremendously."

He emphasized that missile strikes in such harsh weather would exacerbate the situation. "What they need right now is not missiles striking their towns and cities," Trump articulated.

Witkoff credited Trump’s negotiating stance. "I believe it demonstrates, Mr. President... how you can provide a commanding presence in these discussions," he noted. "The Ukrainians never anticipated this could happen."

Trump highlighted that the cold is unprecedented and comparable to what is experienced in the United States. He raised the issue directly due to the hardships faced by civilians.

The administration has framed its strategy as "peace through strength," while pursuing multiple diplomatic avenues involving US, Russian, and Ukrainian representatives.

The conflict in Ukraine has now entered its fourth year, characterized by significant casualties, infrastructure damage, and ongoing mediation efforts that have yet to yield a comprehensive ceasefire.