Trump: Putin promised a week without attacks on Kyiv due to freezing temperatures

US President Donald Trump announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to temporarily halt shelling of Kiev and other Ukrainian cities for one week due to extremely cold weather.

Trump noted at a cabinet meeting that he had made this request personally and that Putin had responded positively, despite skepticism from those around him.

He also commented on the situation in the Gaza Strip, where, according to him, Hamas played a key role in the return of hostages and "appears to be planning to disarm." US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed that the second phase of the US peace plan for Gaza is underway.

Trump also announced that next week he will present his candidate for the position of Federal Reserve chairman, whose current chairman, Jerome Powell, will end his term in May 2026.

(reuters, mja)