Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently disclosed that the United States has expressed its desire for the war with Russia to conclude by June 2026. This announcement comes as both parties have been invited to the US for peace talks next week.
America proposed for the first time that the two negotiating teams—Ukraine and Russia—meet in the United States, probably in Miami, in a week. We confirmed our participation, Zelensky stated.
While there has been no immediate response from Washington or Moscow, US President Donald Trump has been advocating for an end to the conflict since his return to office over a year ago.
However, Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure continue, creating widespread blackouts during extremely cold conditions.
Zelensky noted that during recent peace talks in Abu Dhabi, which ended without a breakthrough, challenging issues such as territorial concessions were discussed.
He also highlighted that for the first time, discussions included the possibility of a trilateral meeting involving the main leaders of both nations, although he cautioned that preparatory elements are necessary.
Zelensky mentioned that US officials desire to achieve a resolution by June, attributing this urgency to domestic issues in the US, though he did not elaborate further.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with Zelensky reporting 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion nearly four years ago.
As the diplomatic efforts progress, the reality of ongoing Russian strikes complicates the situation, as Ukrainian infrastructure continues to be targeted. Zelensky condemned the sustained attacks as attempts to leverage the harsh winter conditions against Ukraine.
Continued military actions from both sides underline the precarious situation and the challenges of securing a lasting peace agreement.
