Kyiv, Ukraine – The United States is pushing for a resolution to the Russo-Ukrainian war by June, offering to host a new round of trilateral talks in Miami next week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Saturday. The move signals an intensified effort to broker an end to the nearly four-year conflict, but also carries a potential for increased pressure on both Kyiv and Moscow.
Zelenskyy revealed the US proposal during a press briefing, stating that Washington is seeking to see the war concluded “by the beginning of this summer, in June,” and will likely apply pressure on both sides to meet this timeline. The offer to host talks, likely in Miami, represents the first direct invitation to both Russian and Ukrainian negotiating teams, according to Zelenskyy.
Ukraine has agreed to participate in the proposed talks, but Zelenskyy emphasized that Kyiv will not accept any agreements reached between the US and Russia without its full involvement, particularly concerning sensitive territorial issues. This stance underscores Ukraine’s determination to maintain its sovereignty and prevent a negotiated outcome that cedes control of its territory.
The current conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has resulted in significant territorial gains for Russia, which currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine. Moscow is particularly focused on securing complete control of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, and has threatened to achieve this through force if negotiations fail.
According to Zelenskyy, the US is advocating for a compromise solution in Donetsk, proposing the establishment of a “free economic zone” where neither side would exercise military control. However, he stressed the need for “fair and reliable rules” to govern such a zone, acknowledging the complexities of implementing such an arrangement.
The issue of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, currently under Russian control, remains a significant point of contention. No agreement has been reached regarding the plant’s future, raising concerns about its safety and security.
Despite the diplomatic efforts, Russia continues to launch attacks on Ukraine. On Saturday, a large-scale Russian attack targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages across the country. Ukrenergo, the Ukrainian electricity company, reported “emergency outages” in most regions due to the damage inflicted by the attacks.
This latest assault is part of a broader campaign by Russia to cripple Ukraine’s energy grid, which has already caused severe hardship for millions of Ukrainians. Temperatures in Kyiv have dropped to -5°C, with forecasts predicting even colder conditions in the coming days, potentially reaching -20°C by Monday.
The attacks occurred shortly after an incident in Moscow where a high-ranking Russian military intelligence official, General Vladimir Alekseev, was injured. Russia has blamed Ukraine for the attack, though Kyiv has not yet commented on the allegations.
The US-imposed June deadline represents a significant escalation in diplomatic pressure on both Ukraine and Russia. While the prospect of a negotiated settlement is welcomed by many, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges. The core issues of territorial integrity, security guarantees, and the future status of occupied territories continue to divide the two sides. The upcoming talks in Miami will be a crucial test of whether a compromise can be reached before the summer deadline, or whether the conflict will continue to escalate.
The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation on both the military and diplomatic fronts. The international community will be closely watching the developments in the coming weeks, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict that has already claimed countless lives and caused immense suffering.
