Zelensky invites Putin to Kyiv as U.S.-backed energy truce takes hold

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet in Kyiv, while ruling out holding talks in Moscow. He stated Ukraine would only stop its own attacks if Russia did so first.

Separately, a temporary halt to strikes on energy infrastructure, described as a U.S.-backed 'energy truce' or 'freeze truce,' appears to be in effect. President Donald Trump said he secured an agreement from Putin to pause strikes on Kyiv for a week amid severe winter cold, a claim the Kremlin appeared to confirm. Zelensky clarified the initiative was American, and that while no formal deal exists, Ukraine would reciprocate a Russian halt.