Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the US wants the war with Russia to end by June, adding that both sides had been invited to the US for talks next week.
America proposed for the first time that the two negotiating teams – Ukraine and Russia – meet in the United States of America, probably in Miami, in a week. We confirmed our participation, he said.
There was no immediate comment from Washington or Moscow, but US President Donald Trump has been pushing for an end to the conflict since he took office again more than a year ago. Meanwhile, Russia has continued its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing further widespread blackouts during freezing conditions.
In comments released on Saturday, Zelensky spoke about what had transpired during the second round of US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi, which ended on Friday without significant progress. He noted that difficult issues remained difficult, emphasizing the pressure on Ukraine to make territorial concessions.
He revealed that for the first time, a trilateral meeting between leaders was discussed, though he cautioned that preparatory elements are needed for this. When asked whether an agreement timeline had been established, Zelensky noted that the Americans aimed to resolve matters by June. Why before this summer? he questioned, alluding to the influence of domestic issues in the US on the proposed timeline.
As diplomatic efforts persist, Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy facilities have continued, with Ukraine's energy minister reporting significant attacks on critical infrastructure, exacerbating power shortages in the nation during harsh winter conditions.
