Putin may halt energy strikes only to restock arsenal — analyst

Political expert and analyst Alexander Morozov, who is based in Prague, stated this on Espreso TV.

"If Donald Trump and American negotiators clearly state that if strikes on critical energy infrastructure don't stop in the near future, sanctions similar to those imposed on Lukoil and Rosneft will immediately be reinstated, then the Kremlin, knowing this, will most likely agree to temporarily halt these strikes. If this doesn't happen, then I don't see the Kremlin stopping," Morozov noted.

According to the analyst, there is a clear argument, though not overly optimistic: the Kremlin and Russia need a respite to restore and replenish their arsenals. This is because there is very intensive use of the types of missiles Russia produces, as well as all types of drones. Therefore, Putin may agree to a temporary halt in infrastructure strikes purely for the purpose of replenishing arsenals, or as a symbolic favor to Donald Trump, if this is clearly stated.

"The thing is, Europe and European countries are reacting very seriously to these strikes and to what is happening to Ukraine. There is a major campaign underway in Europe to collect generators again, with both governments and civil society organizations participating. As for Trump and his administration, they are silent on this topic. And so I don't see right now why Trump would pay attention to this. One would hope so, and if it happened, it would have results," Morozov added.

• On January 29, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that due to severe frosts in Ukraine, he personally asked Russian dictator Vladimir Putin not to strike Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities for a week, to which Putin allegedly agreed.