Ukrainian President Hints at U.S. Push for Peace by Summer
Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that the United States is urging both Ukraine and Russia to reach a peace agreement by June. This comes as Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leading to widespread power outages.
Speaking to reporters recently, President Zelensky suggested the Trump administration is keen on seeing a resolution to the conflict by early summer. He believes the U.S. will exert pressure on both sides to meet this deadline.
“The Americans are proposing that the parties end the war by the beginning of this summer and will probably put pressure on the parties precisely according to this schedule,” Zelensky told reporters. “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.”
Zelensky also mentioned the possibility of trilateral discussions involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia taking place in the U.S. soon, potentially in Miami.
He shared a video online explaining that his negotiating team was meeting in Ukraine for in-person talks. Following these discussions, they plan to address “sensitive aspects of the negotiations in Abu Dhabi that cannot be discussed over the phone.”
“We are preparing for the next meetings — trilateral ones,” said the Ukrainian leader.
Zelensky highlighted the role of parliamentary diplomacy, mentioning discussions with the Chairman of the Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchik, before Stefanchik’s talks with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other American lawmakers.
“Ruslan has already met with Speaker Johnson, members of Congress and many of our friends — friends of Ukraine in America,” he explained.
Earlier in the week, U.S.-brokered trilateral talks were held in Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, Russian air strikes persist, with hundreds of drones and missiles targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including power grids, generation facilities, and distribution networks.
Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s state energy transmission operator, reported that the recent attack marked the second major strike on energy infrastructure since the beginning of the year. They stated that multiple facilities across several regions were hit, causing a “significant” increase in the country’s power deficit.
“As a result of missile strikes on key high-voltage substations that ensured the output of nuclear power units, all nuclear power plants in the territories under control were forced to reduce their load,” the operator stated.
President Zelensky implied that the U.S.’s June deadline might be related to President Trump’s midterm campaign plans, recalling Trump’s promise to quickly end the conflict if elected.
“The elections are definitely more important for [the Americans]. Let’s not be naïve,” Zelensky noted. He added, however, that “If the Russians are really ready to end the war, then it is really important to set a deadline.”
The United States has been a key ally to Ukraine, providing significant military and financial aid. However, some conservatives in America have voiced concerns about the level of involvement and the potential strain on American resources, arguing for a more cautious approach focused on domestic needs. The idea of a swift resolution to the conflict, potentially brokered by the U.S., could appeal to those seeking to de-escalate the situation and prioritize American interests. However, such a deal would need to ensure that Ukraine’s sovereignty is protected and that Russia is held accountable for its aggression, as well as the safety for the people in ukraine.
The situation remains fluid, with the possibility of a negotiated settlement still uncertain. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether a resolution can be reached by the proposed June deadline.
