US Imposes June Deadline for Ukraine-Russia Peace, Zelenskyy States
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on Saturday, February 7, 2026, that the United States has established a June 2026 deadline for Ukraine and the Russian Federation to reach a peace agreement, aiming to conclude the nearly four-year-long conflict. Zelenskyy indicated that if this deadline is not met, the Trump administration would likely exert pressure on both parties to secure a resolution.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, February 6, in comments embargoed until Saturday morning, President Zelenskyy stated, 'The Americans are proposing the parties end the war by the beginning of this summer and will probably put pressure on the parties precisely according to this schedule.' He further elaborated on Washington's intentions, adding, 'And they say that they want to do everything by June. And they will do everything to end the war. And they want a clear schedule of all events.'
Proposed Talks and Diplomatic Efforts
In a bid to advance negotiations, the United States has proposed hosting the next round of trilateral talks on its soil for the first time, likely in Miami, within the coming week. Kyiv has confirmed its participation in these discussions. This latest diplomatic push follows recent US-brokered discussions in Abu Dhabi, which, according to reports, did not yield a breakthrough on core issues such as territory and security guarantees due to 'mutually exclusive demands' from the belligerents.
Context of Ongoing Conflict and Positions
The announcement comes as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia approaches its fourth year. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, significant obstacles remain. Russia is reportedly delaying negotiations and rejecting any agreement that does not amount to the complete capitulation of Ukraine. Moscow's demands include the recognition of all occupied land as Russian, guarantees that Ukraine will never join NATO, curtailment of Ukraine's military, and the lifting of sanctions against Russia.
Conversely, Ukraine's stated objectives for peace include a full withdrawal of Russian troops, the return of prisoners and kidnapped Ukrainian children, prosecution of Russian leaders for war crimes, and robust security guarantees to prevent future aggression. Meanwhile, Russian forces have continued their strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, with a 'massive attack' reported on Saturday, February 7, causing power outages across the country.
Previous Attempts and US Stance
This is not the first instance of a proposed deadline or peace initiative from the Trump administration. Prior to taking office, Donald Trump had pledged to 'end the war in 24 hours,' and a special envoy later suggested an agreement could be reached within 100 days of his inauguration. A new deadline was reportedly set in August of last year, and a draft agreement was said to be '95% complete' in December. The 2026 U.S. National Defense Strategy (NDS) indicates that NATO allies are expected to take primary responsibility for Europe's conventional defense, with more limited U.S. support, viewing Ukraine as primarily a European problem.
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