Hasanah.id – The United States under President Donald Trump has set a bold timeline for ending the nearly four-year Russia-Ukraine conflict, urging both sides to reach a peace agreement by June 2026. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Washington has also proposed direct, in-person negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations to take place in the U.S. as early as next week, a move Kyiv has accepted.
In a press briefing released Saturday, Zelensky shared that Washington wants talks “probably in Miami” between the negotiating teams of Russia-Ukraine.
“The United States has proposed for the first time that the two negotiating teams — Russia-Ukraine — meet in the United States, probably in Miami, in a week’s time,” Zelensky told reporters, as quoted in his statement released Saturday morning (February 7, 2026).
“They say that they want to do everything by June,” he added.
This marks a significant shift, the plan would bring both sides together on U.S. soil for the first time in months, following previous rounds of negotiations in Abu Dhabi that yielded limited progress.
What Zelensky Confirmed
Zelensky confirmed several key points about the current state of negotiations:
- The United States wants a clear timeline for events leading up to June, with pressure on both sides to comply.
- Kyiv has confirmed its participation in the upcoming talks in the U.S. after Washington’s proposal to host them.
- Zelensky noted that Russia presented a large economic proposal described as a roughly $12 trillion “Dmitriev package” as part of the broader negotiating framework.
Sticking Points in Peace Talks About Russia-Ukraine
Even as diplomatic channels remain open, significant obstacles linger:
Territorial Disputes
Russia continues to press for influence over the Donbas region, an area of eastern Ukraine where fighting remains intense. Kyiv reiterates that it will not accept any arrangement that compromises its territorial integrity.
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant
The status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, which has been under Russian control since 2022, remains unresolved. Ukrainian officials say there is still no shared understanding between the parties on how to manage the facility safely.
Russia-Ukraine Current Conflict
Despite diplomatic efforts, violence continues across frontline regions. Zelensky reported that Russia launched more than 400 drones and around 40 missiles in a recent strike against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. This sustained pressure on civilian systems especially during harsh winter conditions underscores the urgency behind Washington’s renewed push for peace.
A Growing US Mediation Role
The United States’ involvement including the deadline and invitation for direct talks reflects its increasing ambition to shape a negotiated end to the conflict that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Whether the June 2026 goal can be fulfilled remains uncertain, but Zelensky’s confirmation of the U.S. proposal signals a strong diplomatic drive toward resolution and sets the stage for a potentially pivotal meeting in Miami in the coming days.
Suber Foto: The Jamestown Foundation