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Reports indicate that Ukraine and Russia are engaged in efforts to meet a peace negotiation deadline set by the United States, aiming to conclude a conflict that has persisted for nearly four years.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking to journalists on Friday, revealed that the U.S. has established a June deadline for Moscow and Kyiv to formulate an agreement, as reported by The Associated Press. The agency noted that Zelenskyy’s comments were under embargo until Saturday morning.
“The Americans suggest that both parties should resolve the conflict by early summer and intend to apply pressure to adhere to this timeline,” Zelenskyy stated, according to the AP. He further mentioned that if the June target is unmet, the Trump administration is likely to exert additional pressure on both Moscow and Kyiv to comply.
“They are determined to achieve peace by June. They have committed to doing everything necessary to conclude the war and are seeking a precise timeline of all related events,” Zelenskyy continued, as reported by the AP.
In other news, on Friday, February 6, 2026, people were seen responding to the aftermath of a Russian airstrike that destroyed a stray dog shelter, resulting in the loss and injury of several animals in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. (Photo by Kateryna Klochko/AP Photos)
Zelenskyy posted a video message on X on Friday saying Ukraine’s negotiators “report on the sensitive aspects of the negotiations in Abu Dhabi that cannot be discussed over the phone.” He added that Ukraine was preparing for “next meetings,” which he said would be “trilateral.”
The Ukrainian president told reporters that the U.S. had proposed it host the trilateral talks next week, likely in Miami, and that Ukraine had already confirmed it would participate, the AP reported.
President Donald Trump on Friday expressed optimism about the Russia-Ukraine talks while speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One.
“We have very good talks going with Russia and Ukraine,” Trump said.
In a readout of the trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi that took place on Feb. 4 and 5, the U.S. described the discussions as “constructive” and said they were focused on creating “the conditions for a durable peace.” The U.S. also said that the delegations had reached an agreement under which Russia and Ukraine would each release 157 prisoners of war, noting that it would be “the first exchange in the last five months.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the U.S. gave Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to end the war. (Viktor Kovalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images; Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Kristina Solovyova / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Additionally, the U.S. said it and Russia agreed to open a new channel of communication by establishing a military-to-military dialogue, which would be led by General Alexus Grynkewich, commander of U.S. European Command. The dialogue was suspended prior to the war in Ukraine, the U.S. said, adding that it was “crucial to achieving and maintaining peace.”
Despite the apparent progress, Russia and Ukraine’s war remains ongoing, with Moscow striking Kyiv’s energy infrastructure as the nation faces a brutal winter. Zelenskyy said on Saturday that the overnight attack involved 400 drones and approximately 40 “missiles of various types.” The Ukrainian president said that an apartment building and a college administrative building were hit.
President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receives the heads of delegations participating in trilateral talks between the U.S., Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 23, 2026. (Hamad Al Kaabi/UAE Presidential Court/Handout via Reuters)
“Every day, Russia could choose real diplomacy, but it chooses new strikes. It is crucial that everyone who supports the trilateral negotiations respond to this,” Zelenskyy said. “Moscow must be deprived of the ability to use the cold as leverage against Ukraine. This requires missiles for Patriot, NASAMS, and other systems. Every shipment helps us get through this winter.”
“I thank all our partners who understand this and are genuinely helping,” he added.
Trump previously said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to temporarily stop attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, citing the brutally cold weather.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and the State Department for comment.