In a statement to the media, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that the United States is advocating for a resolution to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine by June, coinciding with the onset of summer.

His remarks follow two days of negotiations in Abu Dhabi, facilitated by the US. Zelenskyy mentioned that Washington has proposed further discussions in Miami next week, to which Ukraine has consented. He expressed concern over Russia’s recent attacks on Ukrainian energy resources, asserting that Moscow must be restricted from using winter conditions to its advantage.

US Political Considerations Influencing Negotiations

Zelenskyy suggested that the timing of these discussions may be influenced by the upcoming mid-term elections in the United States, indicating that American interests could drive the urgency to achieve a settlement by June. He noted, “Let’s not be naive,” emphasizing that political considerations in the US are significant. While he mentioned Ukraine’s proposal for a sequencing plan to advance negotiations, specific details were not disclosed.

Prisoner Exchange Agreement Reached

The recent discussions in Abu Dhabi did not yield significant breakthroughs; however, both nations agreed to exchange 157 prisoners of war each, marking a resumption of such exchanges after a five-month hiatus. Zelenskyy indicated that this would be an ongoing process, emphasizing the importance of continuing negotiations regarding held individuals.

Emergency Power Cuts in Ukraine Due to Attacks

In response to escalating hostilities, Ukraine has implemented emergency power cuts across much of the country following a series of drone and missile assaults on key energy installations. The state energy company, Ukrenergo, reported extensive damage, particularly affecting the western regions of Ukraine.

With temperatures plummeting below freezing, the situation poses significant challenges for the already fragile energy infrastructure, nearing four years since the onset of the conflict.

Scale of Recent Attacks

The latest wave of aggression reportedly included around 400 drones and 40 missiles targeting various locations, including Volyn, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, and Rivne. Zelenskyy condemned the attacks on X, stating, “Every day, Russia could choose real diplomacy, but it chooses new strikes.” This further underlines the ongoing tension and challenges faced in the diplomatic landscape as efforts to negotiate a resolution continue.

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