Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that the United States, under President Donald Trump, is pushing for a peace agreement to end the Russia-Ukraine war by June this year, warning that Washington may apply pressure on both sides if the deadline is missed.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Zelenskyy said the Americans are proposing to conclude all necessary talks and bring the conflict to an end by the beginning of summer. “They say they want to get everything done by June,” he stated, adding that the US “will probably put pressure on the parties according to this timeline” and seeks a clear schedule for events.
The disclosure comes amid stalled negotiations, with a recent trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi failing to yield breakthroughs on critical issues like territorial disputes, including Russia’s control over parts of Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, and security guarantees. Ukraine has agreed to a US-proposed ceasefire on attacks targeting energy infrastructure, which has caused severe power shortages and forced nuclear plants to curtail output amid winter hardships. Russia has yet to respond to the proposal.
In a significant development, the US has invited Ukraine and Russia for the next round of talks on its soil — possibly in Miami — next week, marking the first such proposal for direct meetings in America. Ukraine has confirmed its participation.
Zelenskyy hinted that the June target may tie into US domestic priorities, including the upcoming midterm elections, noting that “the midterm elections are definitely more important for them”. Despite the urgency, he stressed the need for realistic terms, as hasty pressure could hinder progress on core obstacles like land division.
The nearly four-year war continues, with fresh Russian drone strikes reported, including one in Pavlohrad that killed 15 miners and injured several others. As diplomatic efforts intensify, the coming months could prove decisive for any path to peace.