The United States is urging Russia and Ukraine to reach an understanding on ending the war before the start of summer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, highlighting growing diplomatic pressure. Speaking after two days of US-brokered talks, he noted that Washington wants visible progress within months. Therefore, the timeline has become a central point in ongoing negotiations.
Zelenskiy revealed that US officials proposed holding further talks in Miami within a week, a plan Kyiv has already accepted. Meanwhile, discussions in Abu Dhabi ended without a breakthrough but reopened communication channels. As a confidence-building step, both sides agreed to exchange 157 prisoners of war each after a five-month pause. This development marked limited yet meaningful progress.
Read more : US proposes Russia-Ukraine war end by summer
However, Zelenskiy sharply criticised Russia for continuing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, especially during harsh winter conditions. He warned that Moscow is using cold weather as leverage against civilians. Moreover, recent strikes left over 1,000 residential buildings in Kyiv without heating. Such attacks, he stressed, undermine any trust-building efforts.
The Ukrainian leader said Washington is pushing for a ceasefire covering strikes on energy facilities as an initial de-escalation measure. Ukraine has expressed readiness to halt attacks on Russian oil and energy sites. Russia, however, has not yet agreed to these terms. Consequently, fighting has continued alongside diplomatic efforts.
Read more : Ukraine ramps up drone defences after strikes
Zelenskiy emphasized that lasting peace depends on strong security guarantees for Ukraine, not just temporary truces. Military teams have discussed technical methods to monitor any future ceasefire. Additionally, talks included economic cooperation plans focused on Ukraine’s postwar recovery. Still, major differences remain, particularly over territory.
Despite diplomatic momentum, Zelenskiy acknowledged that Ukraine and Russia remain far apart on core issues. He noted proposals such as a free economic zone in Donetsk have failed to satisfy either side. Nevertheless, Kyiv insists that real diplomacy must replace ongoing attacks. As pressure builds, the coming months may prove decisive for the conflict’s future.