Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has disclosed that the United States is pushing for Ukraine and Russia to end their nearly four-year war by June, with Washington proposing to host direct talks between both sides next week.
According to Zelensky, the administration of US President Donald Trump has suggested that Ukrainian and Russian negotiating teams meet in the United States, possibly in Miami, as part of renewed diplomatic efforts to secure a resolution to the conflict. He noted that Washington has expressed a desire to conclude negotiations within the coming months.
The United States has intensified pressure on both Moscow and Kyiv to reach a settlement, recently facilitating discussions in Abu Dhabi. However, those engagements have yet to produce a breakthrough, particularly on the contentious issue of territorial control.
Russia, which currently occupies about 20 percent of Ukrainian territory, is reportedly demanding full control of the eastern Donetsk region as part of any potential agreement. Ukraine, however, maintains that it will not accept a deal that compromises its sovereignty or fails to provide safeguards against future aggression.
Zelensky reiterated his concerns about being pressured into making disproportionate concessions compared to Russia. He stressed that Ukraine would not tolerate any arrangement negotiated without its direct involvement, especially on matters affecting national sovereignty.
The Ukrainian leader also revealed that both sides remain divided over control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been under Russian occupation since 2022. He said there is still no common understanding on the facility’s status.
Despite ongoing diplomatic initiatives, significant differences remain, casting uncertainty over whether a comprehensive agreement can be reached within the proposed timeline.
