Ukrainian President Zelensky said on Saturday that the United States hopes Ukraine and Russia can reach a peace agreement by June.
Under U.S. mediation, Ukraine and Russia held a two-day negotiation in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, this week. Although the talks did not achieve major breakthroughs, Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 157 prisoners of war each. Zelensky stated that the prisoner exchange will continue.
In a speech released on Saturday at the Ukrainian Presidential Office, Zelensky mentioned that the U.S. expressed its desire to complete all work by June, dedicating all efforts to ending the war and aiming to establish a clear action plan.
Zelensky also stated that the U.S. proposed for Ukrainian and Russian delegations to meet in the U.S. a week later, with the location potentially set in Miami.
“We have confirmed our participation,” he said.
On Saturday, the Ukrainian President posted on the social media platform X, saying, “Our negotiation team submitted a report after meeting with representatives from the U.S. and Russia. The report details the progress of the talks, which issues are most sensitive, and which are more constructive.”
Zelensky remarked, “The U.S. is suggesting the (Ukrainian-Russian) sides end the war before the beginning of summer and might exert pressure on both sides to adhere to this timetable.”
“(The November midterm elections in the U.S.) are evidently more important to them. Let’s not be naive. They say they want to complete all work by June,” Zelensky added.
He also mentioned significant disagreements between Ukraine and Russia regarding territorial issues. Zelensky stated that the U.S. proposed establishing a free economic zone in the Donetsk region, but neither Ukraine nor Russia showed interest. Ukraine has declared it will not withdraw troops from the Donetsk region under its control.