Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that Ukraine and Russian negotiating teams discussed in the UAE stopping attacks on energy facilities in Ukraine. This came as US President Donald Trump stated that he personally asked his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, for the Russian armed forces to cease strikes on Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine for one week due to record-breaking cold temperatures.
Zelenskyy told reporters on Thursday: "An important statement by President Trump about the possibility of providing security for Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities during this extreme winter period. Power supply is the foundation of life. We value the efforts of our partners to help us protect lives. Thank you, President Trump! Our teams discussed this in the United Arab Emirates,” he said.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov neither confirmed nor denied reports of a possible energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Asked about a possible energy ceasefire, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov offered no clarification, “No, I can’t comment on that yet.”
The strikes on energy infrastructure have caused significant electricity shortages in Ukrainian Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv and Donetsk, causing sufferings to the civilians, especially in the freezing temperatures.
Many accuse Putin of trying to weaponise the frigid weather with huge drone and missile strikes every few days, knocking out heat, water, and electricity in Kyiv and other cities. As per reports, on January 9, Russia launched 242 drones and 36 missiles, knocking out electricity across 70 per cent of Ukraine’s capital and leaving some 6,000 apartment buildings without heat.
After each assault, the companies scramble to repair the damage, often completing the task only to have the enemy strike again.
Why does this benefit Russia?
Political analysts say an energy truce could be beneficial for Russia in the long term due to the loss of oil revenues, while Ukraine needs it most during the cold season.
According to analysts, the benefits of an energy ceasefire will vary for each side. Ukraine needs it during periods of low temperatures , when the population's need for electricity for heating is particularly high. At the same time, the possibility of stopping strikes on oil refineries is beneficial for Russia in the long term , since its economy is already receiving less income due to oil prices.
Political scientist Valentin Gladkikh believes that Russia agreed to an "energy ceasefire" for a reason. He recalled that in 2025, the Ukrainian president twice proposed declaring one, but the Russian side rejected it. However, now the Russians have felt the extremely painful blows to their infrastructure from the U.S.S.R., which could have influenced their decision.
According to Ivan Us, Chief Consultant of the National Institute for Strategic Studies in Ukraine, Russia is facing massive problems due to a fall in oil revenues. “Because they are limited in oil and gas revenues, and last year they received 24% less than they planned. This year, given that they have an assumed price of $59 per barrel for Russian Urals, while the actual price is currently somewhere between $38 and $39, they are significantly underreceiving. If Russia underreceives not only because of the price but also because Ukraine physically prevents it from doing so, this will mean a worsening collapse for Russia ,” he added.