The energy ceasefire in Ukraine is extremely beneficial for the Kremlin, – ISW

Such a truce is not such a significant concession on Moscow’s part, analysts note.

The potential week-long moratorium on Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy sector , announced by US President Donald Trump, is not a significant concession on Moscow’s part, write analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

At the same time, such a moratorium on long-range strikes could benefit Russia if both sides participate in it, analysts note.

“Russian forces will be able to stockpile drones and missiles that they can use to launch large-scale combined strikes in the future, while Ukraine will cease its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure,” they explain.

Analysts point out that Russia continues to reject a long-term ceasefire and has previously proposed similar short-term moratoriums to demonstrate its supposedly “good faith” intentions, while simultaneously rejecting calls from Ukraine and the United States for a longer or permanent moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure.

One pro-Kremlin military blogger claimed the ceasefire was only temporary, adding that the moratorium on attacks on energy facilities was linked to the next round of talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi, reportedly scheduled for February 1.

Other Russian military bloggers criticized the moratorium on strikes and expressed relief that it was so short. They also argued that if Russia were to make concessions “at some point,” the Kremlin would exploit those concessions to achieve its goals.

Energy truce

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced that he had personally asked Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to refrain from attacking Kyiv and several other cities for a week, a request to which Putin allegedly agreed. However, there has been no official confirmation from Moscow yet.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Trump for the initiative and emphasized that such steps contribute to real progress toward ending the war.

It is not yet clear, however, whether Ukraine agreed in response not to attack any targets in the Russian Federation.

(c)UNIAN 2026