US gives Ukraine and Russia June deadline to reach agreement to end war, says Zelensky

""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," Mr Zelensky said, speaking to reporters on Friday. His comments were embargoed until Saturday morning. "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," he said."

""Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure continued, with more than 400 drones and about 40 missiles launched overnight on Saturday, Mr Zelensky said in a post on X. Targets included the energy grid, generation facilities and distribution networks. Ukrenergo, the state energy transmission operator, said the attack was the second mass strike on energy infrastructure since the start of the year, forcing nuclear power plants to reduce output. Eight facilities in eight regions came under attack, it said in a statement.""

""As a result of missile strikes on key high-voltage substations that ensured the output of nuclear power units, all nuclear power plants in the territories under control were forced to reduce their load," the statement said. It said the power deficit in the country has increased "significantly" as a result of the attacks, forcing an extension of hourly power outages in all regions of Ukraine."

US officials propose that the parties end the war by the beginning of summer and plan to press both sides according to that schedule, aiming to complete actions by June. The US has proposed hosting the next round of trilateral talks next week, likely in Miami, and Ukraine confirmed participation. Russia presented a 12 trillion dollar economic proposal called the "Dmitriev package," and bilateral economic deals with the US form part of the negotiating process. Russian forces launched more than 400 drones and about 40 missiles overnight, striking energy infrastructure across eight regions, forcing nuclear plants to reduce output and extending hourly power outages nationwide.

Read at Irish Independent