Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Jan 31: US President Donald Trump on Friday said progress was being made towards ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, even as he acknowledged that deep personal hostility between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin continued to complicate peace efforts.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the animosity between the two leaders made negotiations difficult, but expressed optimism about a possible settlement. He said he believed the talks were getting very close to an agreement and that there was a good chance of resolving the conflict.

Trump revealed that he had recently spoken with Putin and personally requested a temporary halt to attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities amid extreme winter conditions. He said Putin agreed to pause strikes for a week, despite scepticism from others about the outcome of the call.

Explaining his request, Trump pointed to record-breaking cold weather affecting the region, saying the conditions were unusually harsh and comparable to a severe cold snap recently experienced in Washington. He reiterated that Russia had agreed to the pause, describing the response as positive.

However, fighting on the ground has continued. Ukrainian officials said three people were killed in an overnight Russian drone attack in the southern Zaporizhzhia region on Thursday. Zelensky also warned that Russia could be preparing for another major offensive.

The developments come ahead of US-mediated peace talks expected to be held over the weekend. Meanwhile, Russia has invited Zelensky to Moscow for negotiations aimed at ending the nearly four-year-long war. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was being considered as the venue for the talks, following last week’s trilateral meeting involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi.

This marks the second straight day that senior Russian officials have indicated readiness to host Zelensky. Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said Russia would ensure the Ukrainian leader’s security and make all necessary arrangements should he agree to the meeting.