Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the United States wants the war with Russia to end by June and has invited both delegations to meet in the United States within a week.
U.S. Deadline and proposed talks
Zelensky announced that Washington, for the first time, suggested a meeting of the Ukrainian and Russian negotiating teams on U.S. Soil, likely in Miami, and confirmed Kyiv’s participation. No immediate response was recorded from either the White House or Moscow, though President Donald Trump has been pressing for an end to the conflict since taking office.
In a press briefing, Zelensky noted that “the Americans say they want everything ready for June” and asked why the deadline comes before the summer, hinting at internal U.S. Issues that could affect the schedule.
The president also said that during the second round of U.S.-mediated peace talks in Abu Dhabi, the parties failed to reach any breakthrough, and that “challenging issues remain complex,” especially the territorial concessions demanded of Ukraine.
Escalating attacks on Ukraine’s energy system
Russian forces resumed large‑scale strikes on Ukraine’s power grid, targeting substations, transmission lines and power plants. Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal described the attacks as “massive” and said they have significantly increased the national energy deficit.
Ukrenergo reported widespread outages, prompting Kyiv to request emergency electricity supplies from neighboring Poland. Zelensky posted that more than 400 drones and 40 missiles were used in the latest night‑time barrage, with air defenses intercepting most but not all projectiles.
Damage was confirmed in at least four regions, including the Dobrotvir plant in Lviv, which left thousands without power, and the Burshtyn plant in Ivano‑Frankivsk. DTEK, which operates both facilities, called the recent strike the tenth “massive attack” since October 2025 and noted that its thermal plants have been hit over 220 times since the invasion began.
Humanitarian fallout
The energy attacks have forced thousands of Kyiv residents back into the metro system, where they endure cold, darkness and cramped conditions. “We are forced to live in inhuman conditions, without heating or electricity,” said refugee Oksana Kykhtenko to Reuters.
Additional incidents include a drone strike on Yahotyn that sparked a warehouse fire, and Ukrainian retaliatory strikes on a missile‑fuel plant in Russia’s Tver region and an oil depot in Saratov.
Casualties continue to rise: one person was killed in Rivne and several injured in Zaporizhia, while Zelensky confirmed that about 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died since the war began, and the BBC has verified nearly 160,000 Russian‑side deaths.
Frequently Asked Questions
What deadline has the United States set for a peace agreement?
The United States has indicated it wants a peace deal finalized by June, and is reportedly prepared to apply pressure to meet that schedule.
What was the outcome of the latest U.S.-mediated peace talks?
The second round of talks in Abu Dhabi concluded without any progress, and the parties remain stuck on difficult issues such as territorial concessions.
How are the recent Russian attacks affecting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure?
Russian strikes have hit substations, transmission lines and power plants, causing a significant energy deficit, widespread blackouts, and prompting emergency aid requests from Poland.
How might the June deadline shape the next steps in the peace process?
