US Pushes for War Resolution by June
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the United States aims to end the war with Russia by June, revealing that both Ukrainian and Russian negotiating teams have been invited to the US for talks scheduled next week.
"America proposed for the first time that the two negotiating teams – Ukraine and Russia – meet in the United States of America, probably in Miami, in a week. We confirmed our participation," he said.
There was no immediate response from Washington or Moscow. However, US President Donald Trump has advocated for resolving the conflict since his re-election over a year ago.
Ongoing Russian Attacks on Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure
Despite diplomatic efforts, Russia has continued to target Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing widespread blackouts amid freezing weather conditions.
Details from US-Brokered Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi
In remarks released on Saturday, Zelensky discussed the second round of US-mediated peace talks held in Abu Dhabi, which concluded on Friday without any significant breakthroughs.
"Difficult issues remained difficult," Zelensky said, referring to territorial concessions that Ukraine faces pressure to make.
He noted that the parties discussed, for the first time, the possibility of a trilateral meeting involving leaders rather than just representatives, but emphasized that "preparatory elements are needed for this."
Asked whether a time frame had been given for an agreement, the Ukrainian leader replied: "The Americans say that they want to do everything by June.
"Why before this summer?" he added. "We understand that their domestic issues in the US will have an impact." Zelensky did not elaborate on what these issues are.
Renewed Russian Strikes on Energy Facilities
As diplomatic talks continue, Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure persist.
"Russian criminals carried out another massive attack on Ukraine's energy facilities," Ukraine's energy minister, Denys Shmyhal, wrote on Telegram.
He explained that substations controlling electricity flow and overhead power lines, which form the backbone of Ukraine's power grid, were targeted alongside power plants.
Ukraine's state-owned energy operator, Ukrenergo, reported that "the power deficit in the power system of Ukraine significantly increased" following the latest attacks.
Shmyhal also stated that neighbouring Poland had been requested to provide emergency power supplies.
Zelensky wrote on social media that Friday night's attack involved more than 400 drones and 40 missiles. Air-defence systems intercepted most, but not all, of them, the Ukrainian military said.
"The main targets were the energy grid, generation facilities, and distribution substations," he said, adding that damage had been reported in at least four regions.
In the western region of Lviv, the Dobrotvir power plant was attacked, leaving thousands without electricity, according to regional head Maksym Kozytskyi.
At least 6,000 people experienced power outages due to scheduled hourly blackouts, he added.
The Burshtyn power plant in the nearby Ivano-Frankivsk region was also struck.
DTEK, the operator of both Dobrotvir and Burshtyn plants, stated this was the 10th "massive attack" on its power plants since October 2025.
"In total, DTEK thermal power plants have been attacked by the enemy more than 220 times since the beginning of the full-scale invasion," the company added on Telegram. This invasion was launched by Russia nearly four years ago.
One person was reported dead in the Rivne region, and several were injured in Zaporizhzhia. Rivne's head, Oleksandr Koval, reported damage to homes and "critical infrastructure."
In Kyiv, residents again sought shelter in metro stations.
Among them, Oksana Kykhtenko told :
"They [Russians] make us live in inhumane conditions. Without heating, without electricity."
A drone strike in the city of Yahotyn, approximately 62 miles (10km) away, caused a fire at a warehouse complex, according to Ukrainian emergency services.
Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Targets
Ukraine has also conducted attacks on Russia, targeting a factory producing missile fuel components in the western Tver region, as reported by media citing Ukrainian security officials.
Russia has not commented on these recent attacks.
Resumption of Russian Attacks After Pause
Moscow resumed attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Monday after a week-long pause requested by US President Donald Trump due to severe cold conditions in Ukraine.
DTEK described the combined missile and drone strikes as "the most powerful blow" to infrastructure so far this year.
"Moscow must be deprived of the ability to use the cold as leverage against Ukraine," Zelensky wrote on X on Saturday, responding to the latest strikes.
Russian Accusations Against Ukraine
Russia has accused Kyiv of lacking seriousness in securing lasting peace. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday blamed Ukraine for the shooting of a high-profile Russian military general, alleging it aimed to "disrupt the negotiation process."
The perpetrator of the shooting remains unknown.
Casualty Figures and Conflict Overview
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, approximately 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed, Zelensky said earlier this week.
The BBC has confirmed the names of nearly 160,000 individuals killed fighting on Russia's side in Ukraine.
