Ukraine Races to Bolster Air Defenses as Russian Strike Pause Nears End

Ukraine is urgently reinforcing its air defense systems as a temporary halt in Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities approaches its February 1 expiration date. Military and diplomatic experts warn this brief respite may do little to alter battlefield dynamics and could ultimately strengthen Moscow’s position in peace negotiations.

President Donald Trump expressed optimism Friday about the prospects for a settlement between the warring nations. “I think we’re getting very close to getting a settlement,” Trump said at the White House. “Zelenskyy and Putin hate each other, and it makes it very difficult, but I think we have a good chance of getting it settled.”

According to the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin agreed to Trump’s personal request to pause airstrikes on Kyiv until February 1, describing it as a move to create favorable conditions for negotiations. Ukrainian officials have emphasized that this does not constitute a formal ceasefire.

As temperatures in Kyiv are forecast to plunge to minus-26 degrees Celsius beginning Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced efforts to enhance short-range air defenses against drones, particularly in vulnerable frontline cities in the south and northeast regions.

“Protection against Russian drones must be reinforced in our cities, such as Kherson and Nikopol, as well as in the border communities of the Sumy region, where the Russians have essentially set up an ongoing ‘safari’ against civilians,” Zelenskyy stated on Telegram.

Despite the temporary pause, several Russian political figures have publicly called for escalation. Russian parliament speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said lawmakers are pushing for more powerful “weapons of retribution,” while Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has voiced opposition to negotiations altogether.

Against this backdrop, experts view the pause as largely symbolic rather than substantive. Vice Admiral Robert S. Harward, a retired Navy SEAL and former deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, told Fox News Digital that the halt reflects political signaling rather than a meaningful military shift.

“It’s symbolic in the sense of the dialogue and where we are in the negotiations,” Harward explained. “President Trump wants to illustrate to the U.S. that his relationship with Putin delivers results. This is a validation of that relationship, which could be an indicator of where the overall negotiations are on ending the war.”

Carrie Filipetti, executive director of the Vandenberg Coalition and former senior State Department official, cautioned against misinterpreting Russia’s agreement as a genuine move toward peace.

“While I am certain that Ukrainian civilians welcome any brief pause, they also aren’t holding their breath because Putin’s war machine will not stop until his calculus is changed on the risks of continuing his war,” Filipetti said. She added that the brevity of the pause—just one week—leaves Ukraine vulnerable.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly warned that Ukraine’s defensive capabilities have been hampered by delays in Western funding. He recently highlighted that European allies had delayed payments under the PURL weapons purchase program, leaving Ukraine without critical Patriot air defense missiles ahead of recent Russian strikes that disrupted power across parts of Kyiv.

“This is a critical issue for protecting civilians and Ukrainian cities and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the brutally cold winter months,” Filipetti noted. “As President Zelenskyy has said, there will be no electricity and therefore no heat for civilians if they don’t have enough Patriot missiles to defend against Russia’s ballistic missiles.”

The shortage extends beyond Ukraine’s borders, according to Harward. “Air Defense has been in high demand globally, considering the threats from Russia and China,” he explained. “Resources, expenses and the increased time to deliver and implement the capabilities add to the challenge.”

Both experts expressed skepticism about whether this brief pause could lead to broader de-escalation. “This tactical pause only serves to reinforce Russia’s negotiating position,” Harward cautioned. “Putin is showing the world that he is willing to listen and respond. In return, he’ll want more support of his position and demands.”

Filipetti offered a slightly more hopeful perspective: “Only time will tell. Diplomacy can always appear fruitless until there is a real deal. If this short pause, delivered by President Trump’s continued engagement and pressure on Putin, can be used to build additional progress in the trilateral talks, that would be a very positive outcome.”

As the February 1 deadline approaches, Ukraine’s ability to protect its civilian infrastructure and population during harsh winter conditions remains precarious, with both immediate humanitarian concerns and longer-term strategic implications for any potential peace negotiations.