US wants Russia and Ukraine to end war by June, says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that the United States is pushing for an end to the protracted war with Russia by June, with both Kyiv and Moscow reportedly invited to high-level peace talks in the US 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," Zelensky stated, highlighting a significant diplomatic push from Washington. While there has been no immediate official comment from either the US administration or the Kremlin, this initiative aligns with the stated objective of US President Donald Trump, who has consistently advocated for a swift resolution to the conflict since his return to office over a year ago.

This diplomatic overture comes amidst continued Russian assaults on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure, exacerbating widespread blackouts and plunging the nation into further hardship during a period of freezing temperatures. Zelensky’s remarks were made in comments released on Saturday, following the conclusion of the second round of US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi on Friday, which, according to reports, ended without any immediate breakthroughs. The Ukrainian President acknowledged that "difficult issues remained difficult," particularly concerning territorial concessions, which Ukraine is reportedly facing pressure to consider.

During the Abu Dhabi discussions, Zelensky indicated that the possibility of a trilateral meeting involving the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, and the US was discussed for the first time. However, he cautioned that "preparatory elements are needed for this" before such a high-level summit could materialize. When questioned about a potential timeline for an agreement, Zelensky directly stated, "The Americans say that they want to do everything by June." He elaborated on the urgency, suggesting, "Why before this summer? We understand that their domestic issues in the US will have an impact," though he did not specify the nature of these domestic concerns.

In parallel with the diplomatic efforts, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities. Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s Energy Minister, reported via Telegram that "Russian criminals carried out another massive attack on Ukraine’s energy facilities." The targets included substations responsible for electricity distribution and overhead power lines, described as "the backbone of Ukraine’s power grid," as well as power plants themselves. The state-owned energy operator, Ukrenergo, confirmed that "the power deficit in the power system of Ukraine significantly increased" as a direct consequence of these latest strikes. In response to the severe energy shortages, Shmyhal confirmed that neighboring Poland had been requested to provide emergency power supplies.

President Zelensky further detailed the scale of the assault on social media, stating that Friday night’s attack involved over 400 drones and 40 missiles. While Ukraine’s air defense systems successfully intercepted the majority, a significant number managed to penetrate defenses, according to the Ukrainian military. "The main targets were the energy grid, generation facilities, and distribution substations," Zelensky noted, adding that damage was reported in at least four regions across the country.

The western region of Lviv was particularly hard-hit, with the Dobrotvir power plant coming under attack. Maksym Kozytskyi, the regional head, reported that thousands of residents were left without electricity. Approximately 6,000 people were affected by the resulting power outages, necessitating hourly power rationing schedules. In the nearby Ivano-Frankivsk region, the Burshtyn power plant also sustained damage. DTEK, the energy company responsible for both the Dobrotvir and Burshtyn plants, stated that this marked the tenth "massive attack" on its facilities since October 2025. The company further highlighted on Telegram that "In total, DTEK thermal power plants have been attacked by the enemy more than 220 times since the beginning of the full-scale invasion," which was initiated by Russia nearly four years prior.

The human cost of these attacks has also been significant. One fatality was reported in the Rivne region, and several individuals were injured in Zaporizhzhia. Oleksandr Koval, the head of Rivne, confirmed damage to homes and "critical infrastructure" in his region. In Kyiv, residents were once again forced to seek refuge in metro stations. Oksana Kykhtenko, a resident speaking to Reuters news agency from a metro station, described the dire conditions: "They [Russians] make us live in inhumane conditions. Without heating, without electricity."

The conflict has not been one-sided, with Ukraine also launching attacks into Russian territory. Media reports, citing Ukrainian security officials, indicated that Ukraine struck a factory in the western Tver region that is involved in the production of missile fuel components. Russia has remained silent regarding these claims.

The renewed Russian assaults on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Monday followed a week-long pause. This hiatus was reportedly requested by US President Donald Trump from Vladimir Putin, ostensibly due to the severe cold gripping Ukraine. DTEK characterized the combined missile and drone strikes as "the most powerful blow" to the nation’s infrastructure thus far this year. In response to these escalating attacks, President Zelensky posted on X on Saturday, asserting, "Moscow must be deprived of the ability to use the cold as leverage against Ukraine."

While the source of a recent shooting incident remains unclear, the human toll of the ongoing war is stark. Earlier this week, President Zelensky disclosed that approximately 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The BBC has independently verified the names of nearly 160,000 individuals who have perished fighting on the Russian side in Ukraine. The conflict, now in its fourth year, continues to inflict immense suffering and devastation, with diplomatic efforts and military actions intertwining in a complex and often brutal dynamic. The proposed US-led initiative to conclude hostilities by June offers a glimmer of hope for peace, but the path forward remains fraught with challenges, underscored by the persistent Russian attacks and the deeply entrenched nature of the conflict. The potential for a US-hosted summit in Miami represents a critical juncture, where the willingness of both sides to compromise and the efficacy of American diplomatic pressure will be put to the ultimate test.