US Seeks End to Russia–Ukraine War by June 2026, Zelensky Discloses

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that the United States is pushing for the war between Ukraine and Russia to end by June 2026, adding that both countries have been invited to the US for peace talks scheduled for next week.

According to Zelensky, Washington has, for the first time, proposed a meeting between the negotiating teams of Ukraine and Russia on American soil, likely in Miami.
“America has proposed, for the first time, that the two negotiating teams – Ukraine and Russia – meet in the United States of America, probably in Miami, within a week. We have confirmed our participation,” he said.
There was no immediate reaction from either Washington or Moscow. However, US President Donald Trump has consistently pushed for an end to the conflict since returning to office more than a year ago.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Russia has continued to launch attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, worsening power outages amid freezing weather conditions.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Zelensky outlined discussions from the second round of US-brokered peace talks held in Abu Dhabi, which concluded on Friday without any reported breakthrough.
He noted that “difficult issues remained difficult,” particularly the matter of territorial concessions that Ukraine is under pressure to accept.
Zelensky also disclosed that, for the first time, discussions included the possibility of a trilateral meeting involving the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, rather than only their representatives. However, he cautioned that “preparatory elements are needed” before such a meeting can take place.
When asked if a deadline had been set for reaching an agreement, the Ukrainian president said: “The Americans say they want to do everything by June.”
Explaining the urgency, he added: “Why before this summer? We understand that their domestic issues in the US will have an impact.” He referenced the US midterm elections scheduled for November, which could alter the balance of power in Washington.
While talks continue, Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy facilities have intensified.
“Russian criminals carried out another massive attack on Ukraine’s energy facilities,” Ukraine’s Energy Minister, Denys Shmyhal, said in a Telegram post.
He explained that substations regulating electricity flow, overhead transmission lines forming the backbone of the national grid, and power plants were all targeted.
Ukraine’s state-owned energy operator, Ukrenergo, confirmed that the attacks significantly increased the country’s power deficit.
Shmyhal added that Ukraine had requested emergency electricity supplies from neighbouring Poland.
Zelensky said on social media that Friday night’s assault involved over 400 drones and 40 missiles. While air defence systems intercepted most of them, some strikes still caused damage, according to the Ukrainian military.
“The main targets were the energy grid, power generation facilities, and distribution substations,” Zelensky said, noting that damage was recorded in at least four regions.
In the western Lviv region, the Dobrotvir power plant was hit, leaving thousands without electricity, regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi said. He added that at least 6,000 residents were affected by scheduled power outages.
The Burshtyn power plant in the neighbouring Ivano-Frankivsk region was also struck.
Energy company DTEK, which operates both plants, said the attacks marked the tenth “massive assault” on its facilities since October 2025.
“In total, DTEK thermal power plants have been attacked by the enemy more than 220 times since the beginning of the full-scale invasion,” the company said on Telegram, referring to the invasion launched by Russia nearly four years ago.
One person was reported killed in the Rivne region, while several others were injured in Zaporizhzhia. Rivne regional head Oleksandr Koval said residential buildings and critical infrastructure were also damaged.
In Kyiv, residents once again sought shelter in metro stations. One resident, Oksana Kykhtenko, told Reuters: “They make us live in inhumane conditions. Without heating, without electricity.”
Elsewhere, a drone strike in the town of Yahotyn, about 10 kilometres away, sparked a fire at a warehouse complex, according to Ukraine’s emergency services.
Ukraine has also carried out strikes inside Russia. Ukrainian security officials were quoted by local media as saying a factory producing missile fuel components was hit in Russia’s western Tver region. An oil depot in the Saratov region was also reportedly struck.
Russia has not commented on these claims.
Moscow resumed its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure earlier in the week after a pause requested by President Trump due to severe cold weather in Ukraine. Trump said the pause lasted for a week until last Sunday, although Kyiv disputed that timeline.
DTEK described the latest combined missile and drone strikes as “the most powerful blow” to infrastructure so far this year.
“Moscow must be deprived of the ability to use the cold as leverage against Ukraine,” Zelensky wrote on X in response to the attacks.
Russia, meanwhile, has accused Ukraine of lacking commitment to securing lasting peace. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday blamed Kyiv for the shooting of a senior Russian military general, alleging it was intended to “disrupt the negotiation process.” The perpetrators of the shooting have not yet been identified.
Zelensky said earlier this week that about 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The BBC reports it has verified the names of nearly 160,000 Russian fighters killed in the conflict.
(BBC)