US aims to end Ukraine war by June and is ready to apply pressure - Zelenskyy
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
The United States is proposing that the sides end Russia’s war against Ukraine by early summer and may apply diplomatic pressure in line with that timeline, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a press briefing.
Read also: There's progress: New details emerge from Abu Dhabi talks
US eyes a summer deadline
According to the president, the American side has expressed a desire to end the war around June and is working to establish a clear negotiating timetable.
“The Americans are proposing that the sides end the war by the beginning of this summer and will likely apply pressure on the parties according to that schedule,” Zelenskyy said.
He added that US domestic political factors, including upcoming elections and congressional activity, could also influence Washington’s position.
Will the US leave the talks?
Zelenskyy stressed that he has received no signals that the United States might withdraw from the negotiation process if the war is not ended within the proposed timeframe.
“I have not received that from the negotiating team. Of course, it would be desirable for the Americans not to leave,” he said.
In his view, US participation in the talks is important for all sides.
A clear plan to end the war
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine has long proposed creating a clear, step-by-step plan — a Sequence Plan — that would define the actions of the parties and the timelines for implementing agreements.
“We want everyone to understand what the parties are committing to and within what timeframe. We truly want to end the war and guarantee security,” the president stressed.
Signing agreements and security guarantees
The president also said the United States would consider synchronously signing key agreements, including security arrangements.
“The American side said that one option is for all agreements to be signed at roughly the same time,” Zelenskyy noted.
Talks in Abu Dhabi
It is worth recalling that on February 5, another round of trilateral peace talks between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia took place in Abu Dhabi. As a result, the parties issued a communiqué stating that the discussions were “constructive.”
The delegations focused on implementing a ceasefire and monitoring the cessation of hostilities, and agreed to another prisoner exchange.
The parties also discussed mechanisms for introducing a ceasefire regime.
