US pushes for Ukraine-Russia peace deal by June as new talks loom in February
The United States is intensifying diplomatic efforts to broker a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, aiming for a resolution by early summer 2026. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed a new round of high-level negotiations is scheduled for February 17-18.
While the Kremlin has acknowledged the upcoming talks, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remains elusive regarding the specific location. Sources suggest potential venues include Miami or Abu Dhabi, following previous consultative rounds held in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year.
The upcoming agenda will focus on the complex issues of territorial control, specifically regarding the Donbas region and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Negotiators are expected to discuss the potential establishment of a free economic zone in Donbas as a structural compromise.
President Zelenskyy emphasized Kyiv’s readiness to negotiate at any venue capable of producing "real results." However, despite the American push for a June deadline, insiders warn that fundamental disagreements over sovereignty could delay the signing of a final accord.
According to Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, recent discussions in Abu Dhabi centered on armistice implementation and ceasefire monitoring. These technical frameworks are intended to stabilize the front lines before the more contentious political negotiations begin next week.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
