US Gives Ukraine, Russia June Deadline to End War: Zelensky

In a significant development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that the United States has set a June deadline for Ukraine and Russia to reach a peace agreement to end the ongoing war. The US is also proposing new trilateral talks in Miami, which Ukraine is expected to attend. However, Zelensky warned of potential bilateral deals between the US and Russia without Ukraine's consent.

Background and Context

The war in Ukraine, the largest since World War II, has been ongoing for nearly four years with no clear end in sight. The US has been actively mediating between Russia and Ukraine, with President Donald Trump stating that negotiations are proceeding well. However, despite the talks, Russia continues to carry out attacks, including massive strikes on Ukraine's energy facilities.

Key Developments

Zelensky has made it clear that Ukraine will not support any potential agreements made without its involvement. We clearly state that Ukraine will not support even potential agreements about us without us, he asserted. Following a meeting with the Ukrainian delegation in Abu Dhabi, Zelensky stated that the US had proposed an energy truce, which Ukraine agreed to, but Russia has yet to respond.

In the wake of these developments, the US is insisting on an accelerated timeline for reaching peace agreements. Zelensky confirmed that the Trump administration is likely to put pressure on both Ukraine and Russia to meet the June deadline. He also mentioned that the US is considering the possibility of organizing a nationwide referendum in Ukraine within the coming months.

Implications and Reactions

The US's proposed deadline and impending talks are being seen as a push to end the war by the beginning of the summer. The talks are expected to be tough, with Zelensky warning of risks and stating that Russia wants the US to recognize Crimea as Russian, a move that Ukraine will not support as it contradicts its Constitution.

Despite the peace negotiations, Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian officials claim that Russia has deliberately targeted energy infrastructure, causing outages and worsening conditions for civilians as winter temperatures plunge. According to Ukrinform, Russia has suffered significant casualties, with over a thousand soldiers killed or wounded in the past few days.

Conclusion

As the conflict continues, Zelensky has called for stronger efforts by mobile fire groups and reviewed a report from the negotiating team following meetings with the US and Russian sides. Amidst the ongoing violence, a new round of talks involving Ukraine, the US, and Russia is scheduled for the coming week in Abu Dhabi. Ukraine aims to bring about a real and dignified end to the war, even as it faces a June deadline to reach a peace agreement.