Kyiv, Ukraine – The United States has set a June deadline for Ukraine and Russia to reach a peace agreement, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The announcement comes as Russian strikes continue to target Ukrainian infrastructure, including nuclear power plants, and as both sides prepare for a potential new round of negotiations.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Zelenskyy said the Trump administration is proposing that both parties end the war by the beginning of summer and anticipates applying pressure to ensure a resolution by that time. “The Americans are proposing the parties end the war by the beginning of this summer and will probably put pressure on the parties precisely according to this schedule,” he stated. “And they say that they want to do everything by June. And they will do everything to end the war. And they want a clear schedule of all events.”
The US has proposed hosting the next round of trilateral talks in the United States, likely in Miami, with Ukraine confirming its participation. This follows two days of US-led peace talks in Abu Dhabi earlier this week, which, while described as “genuinely constructive” by Kyiv, did not yield a breakthrough.
Amidst the diplomatic efforts, Russia presented the US with a substantial economic proposal – a $12 trillion package dubbed the “Dmitriev package” after Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Zelenskyy indicated that bilateral economic deals between the US and Russia are part of the broader negotiation process, raising concerns about potential agreements being made without Ukraine’s direct involvement. “Ukraine will not support any such even potential agreements about us that are made without us,” he asserted.
The push for a June deadline coincides with a significant escalation in Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy reported that on Saturday alone, over 400 drones and approximately 40 missiles were launched, targeting the energy grid, generation facilities, and distribution networks. These strikes have forced nuclear power plants to reduce output, exacerbating an already challenging energy situation for the country.
Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s state energy transmission operator, stated that the recent attacks represent the second mass strike on energy infrastructure since the start of the year, leading to a “significant” power deficit and the implementation of hourly power outages across all regions. The attacks are aimed at disrupting essential services during the harsh winter months.
In a retaliatory move, Ukrainian drones reportedly struck a plant in the Tver region of western Russia that manufactures components for missile fuel. An official from Ukraine’s SBU security service stated that the plant produces parts for X-55 and X-101 cruise missiles, as well as diesel and aviation fuel. The strike caused a large fire, potentially hindering Russia’s ability to sustain its current level of bombardment.
Despite the ongoing negotiations, significant obstacles remain. Russia continues to demand the cession of the Donbas region, a condition Ukraine has repeatedly rejected. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s position on the Donbas remains firm, stating, “We stand where we stand,” and that this position forms the basis for a potential ceasefire.
The US has proposed a ceasefire that would include a ban on strikes targeting energy infrastructure. However, Zelenskyy noted that a previous US-brokered pause was violated by Russia after only four days, raising doubts about Moscow’s commitment to such agreements.
Discussions also centered on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control, and a potential proposal to establish a free economic zone in the Donbas region. Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about the feasibility of the latter, stating differing views on its implementation.
The situation remains fluid, with the June deadline looming and the potential for increased pressure from the US if a resolution is not reached. The continued attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure underscore the urgency of finding a diplomatic solution, but the deep-seated disagreements between the two sides present a formidable challenge. The coming months will be critical in determining whether a lasting peace can be achieved, or if the conflict will continue to escalate.
