US Sets June Deadline for Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Amid Ongoing Strikes

The situation in Ukraine remains tense as the US has announced a deadline for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, urging both sides to reach an agreement by June. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared this information during a recent address, highlighting the pressing need for a resolution to the nearly four-year-long conflict. His remarks followed a series of destructive Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, which have significantly hampered the country's energy capabilities. Zelenskyy noted that if the June deadline is not met, the US may exert further pressure on both Ukraine and Russia to adhere to this timeline. The US government is pushing for a resolution by the beginning of summer and has proposed a new round of trilateral talks to be held in the US, likely in Miami, with Ukraine expected to participate. Meanwhile, Russian attacks continue, with Zelenskyy indicating that over 400 drones and 40 missiles targeted energy facilities and distribution networks overnight. The strikes have forced nuclear power plants to reduce their output, leading to a significant power deficit across the nation and causing extended power outages as the region faces a harsh winter. Amid these challenges, the US has suggested a ceasefire and a ban on strikes against critical energy infrastructure, which Ukraine is willing to observe, provided Russia commits to this truce. However, Zelenskyy expressed skepticism, recalling previous violations of ceasefire agreements by Russia. A major sticking point in negotiations remains the Donbas region, where fighting has intensified. Russia continues to demand Ukraine withdraw from this contested territory, a condition that Kyiv categorically refuses to accept. Zelenskyy has consistently voiced frustration over the perceived imbalance in proposals, asserting that Ukraine is being asked to concede excessively compared to Russia. The latest discussions, prompted by US-brokered trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, did not yield any breakthroughs. Key issues, such as the status of the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, remain unresolved, and Zelenskyy conveyed doubts regarding a proposed economic zone aimed at compromising over the Donbas. As the conflict continues, both sides grapple with complex issues that will require careful negotiation and compromise. The outcome of these talks, as the deadline approaches, will be crucial not only for the future of Ukraine but also for regional stability and international relations in the wake of the ongoing aggression from Russia. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2