Ukraine: attacks on the energy sector suspended?
According to Donald Trump, Russia has agreed to halt strikes on Ukrainian cities for one week. The US president said he had made an appeal to Vladimir Putin to do this citing the extreme cold in Ukraine. The Kremlin has not commented. However, a long-discussed "energy ceasefire" may already be in effect, as both parties have reported hardly any air strikes on their energy infrastructure since Thursday. The media take a closer look.
Ceasefire due to lack of missiles
In a Facebook post picked up by Censor.net, blogger Denys Kasanskyj speculates on the reasons for a potential suspension of the attacks:
“If this is real, then there is only one reason for it: Russia has temporarily exhausted its missile stockpiles and is currently simply unable to carry out any more attacks. In recent weeks, Russia has been firing 'Zircon' [hypersonic anti-ship missiles] and missiles manufactured in 2026 at Kyiv. In other words, whatever it could scrape together and manufacture. ... It may have now reached a point where it needs to replenish its missile stockpiles for future attacks. ... Now it will try to portray this accumulation phase as a 'gesture of goodwill' and a 'generous agreement to a ceasefire'.”
At least a brief respite
In a Facebook post, political scientist Nikolai Mitrokhin hopes that the ceasefire will be extended:
“How many missiles remain, and of what type, is an open question. However, for some time now the greatest damage to Ukrainian infrastructure has been caused not by missiles, but by the many attacks by drones, which are produced by the hundred every day in Russia. They are constantly being modernised and deployed at a rate of 300 to 500 per night. ... There is hope that the energy ceasefire will be extended and that neither side will violate it for the sake of locally successful strikes. In any case, I congratulate the Ukrainians on the respite they have secured, at least on this matter.”
Weaponising winter is a war crime
Russia has turned the winter into a weapon of terror, The Guardian rails:
“Ukrainians have begun calling this reality 'kholodomor' – death by cold – an echo of Holodomor, the human-made famine Stalin used to crush Ukraine in the 1930s. Then, hunger was the weapon. Now, it is winter. Inside apartments, people heat bricks on gas stoves and use them as makeshift radiators. Families pitch hiking tents in their living rooms, sheltering inside them in thermal clothes and sleeping bags. ... In Ukraine, winter is a weapon as deadly as the drones that buzz through the frozen night skies, seeking prey. And the world must finally call it what it is: a war crime.”
Time for a visit to freezing Kyiv
The Süddeutsche Zeitung criticises the lack of gestures of solidarity from political leaders:
“Germany and Europe should do their utmost to become more involved in determining Ukraine's fate again, especially in view of a US government that is rapidly becoming an adversary. ... Of course Germany and the Europeans also have leverage: Putin's country is suffering more from the sanctions than the Kremlin is willing to admit. Europeans should certainly have the right to participate in peace negotiations, and should seek new channels to this end. Turkey, for example, was a good mediator at the beginning of the war. And perhaps it would also be a good symbolic gesture if a high-ranking delegation were to pay a visit to freezing-cold Kyiv right now.”
Kremlin in a bind
Commenting in a Facebook post, political scientist Serhiy Taran sees two options for Putin once the ceasefire expires:
“Neither is favourable for him. If he resumes attacks on Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure, it will also be a blow to Trump's reputation, and the American president would be forced to respond in some way. Not because Trump is determined to take a hard line on Russia but because he needs to put on a display of resolve for American voters who will soon be casting their votes for congressional candidates. However, if he doesn't resume the attacks, Putin will reveal his weakness and dependence on Trump, who would prove to be a greater authority for him than his own fanatical Ruscists [Russian fascists], who are calling for Ukrainian cities to be bombed above all during the cold weather.”