Zelenskyy says US has set June deadline for Ukraine-Russia peace deal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the US has proposed a June deadline for Ukraine and Russia to reach a peace settlement. According to Zelenskyy, the Trump administration intends to pressure both countries to end the war by the beginning of summer, potentially influenced by the upcoming midterm elections. He also mentioned that the US is proposing to host further trilateral talks, possibly in Miami, following recent discussions in Abu Dhabi that were described as constructive. This new deadline follows previous unsuccessful attempts by the US to broker a peace agreement. Zelenskyy indicated Ukraine has confirmed its participation in the next round of talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the U.S. has set a June deadline for Ukraine and Russia to reach an agreement to end their nearly four-year war. According to Zelenskyy, the U.S. intends to pressure both sides to meet this deadline, with potential trilateral talks to be held in the U.S. next week. Zelenskyy also mentioned that Russia presented the U.S. with a $12 trillion economic proposal. Meanwhile, Russian strikes targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure intensified, forcing nuclear power plants to reduce output and causing widespread power outages across the country. The attacks involved hundreds of drones and missiles and targeted energy grids, generation facilities, and distribution networks.

Ukrainian and Russian officials concluded the first day of US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi, described as "productive" by Kyiv's lead negotiator. The trilateral meetings, involving US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, aim to find concrete steps and practical solutions to the ongoing conflict. The talks occurred amidst continued fighting, including a Russian strike on a market in eastern Ukraine that resulted in casualties. Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, stated the work was substantive and would prepare a report for President Zelensky. Discussions are expected to continue on Thursday.

Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange of 157 people each, including soldiers and civilians, after US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi. The exchange, the first in four months, involved the return of Ukrainians held captive since 2022 and Russian soldiers held by Kyiv. The talks, involving Russian, Ukrainian, and US teams, aimed to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict. Territorial concessions demanded by Russia and security guarantees for Ukraine are major obstacles to a potential agreement. While the US envoy described the talks as productive, no breakthrough was achieved, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed a desire for faster progress.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the war with Russia. This announcement was made during an interview with France 2 TV on Wednesday. Zelensky also noted a significant number of individuals are officially missing. While both Ukraine and Russia have been reluctant to disclose their own losses, the BBC has confirmed nearly 160,000 Russian casualties. Simultaneously, US envoys are holding talks with Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Abu Dhabi, seeking to advance a US-proposed peace deal. Territory remains a major obstacle, with Russia demanding Ukraine cede the remaining Donbas region. Zelensky expressed a desire for faster progress in negotiations, emphasizing Ukraine's constructive approach.

On Sunday, a Russian drone strike in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine killed at least 12 miners, with the death toll later rising to 15. The attack, described by a DTEK spokesperson as a "terrorist attack on civilian infrastructure," targeted a bus transporting miners after their shift, roughly 40 miles from the front line. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine confirmed the incident and reported at least seven injuries. The attack occurred hours after President Zelenskyy announced the postponement of planned peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S., which are now scheduled for February 4-5 in Abu Dhabi. The delay followed a meeting between envoys from Donald Trump and the Kremlin in Florida on Saturday. Zelenskyy condemned the strike as a deliberate attack on civilians.

A growing number of war-weary Ukrainians are considering ceding the remaining Ukrainian-controlled portion of the Donbas region to Russia in exchange for lasting peace and strong security guarantees from allies. This shift in public opinion comes as peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States continue in Abu Dhabi. While President Zelensky has publicly opposed withdrawing from the Donbas, he has hinted at compromise amid battlefield pressure. Recent polls indicate increasing acceptance of territorial concessions as a potential path to ending the conflict. The Donbas region, a key point of contention, has been heavily fortified by Ukraine, while Russia seeks its capture to claim a victory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on January 26, 2026, that a security agreement with the United States is "100 percent ready" for signing, pending confirmation of the date and location from the US. This announcement followed talks between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators in Abu Dhabi regarding a framework for ending the ongoing war. While no immediate deal was reached, both sides expressed openness to further dialogue, with additional discussions planned. Zelenskyy highlighted that fundamental differences, particularly regarding territorial concessions, remain a significant obstacle. He also emphasized Ukraine's pursuit of EU membership by 2027 as an economic security guarantee.

Talks between Russian, Ukrainian, and American officials aimed at ending the war in Ukraine are scheduled to continue next week. The announcement follows face-to-face negotiations held in Abu Dhabi last weekend, the first such meeting between Ukraine and Russia since June. While both Ukrainian and Russian officials expressed some optimism after the talks, a Kremlin spokesman gave little indication that Russia was ready to compromise on its aims in Ukraine. A major point of contention remains control of territory in eastern Ukraine, with Russia insisting on terms it claims were previously agreed to by the U.S. president. The ongoing negotiations also involve discussions about American involvement in postwar security guarantees for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized recent trilateral talks between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi as "constructive." The two-day meetings, hosted by the United Arab Emirates, involved political and military representatives discussing potential parameters for ending the war and security issues, including American oversight. Delegations will report back to their respective capitals to coordinate further steps. These talks followed a meeting in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. representatives, where discussions included territorial issues and updates on conversations with Ukrainian and European leaders. Despite these diplomatic efforts, Russia continues its strikes across Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure and residential areas.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, European leaders publicly acknowledged the decline of the rules-based order that has underpinned modern Europe. This realization, long discussed privately and recognized elsewhere, became a central theme during the week-long event. The Greenland episode, involving Donald Trump's interest in acquiring the territory, highlighted the diminishing constraint of law on power. The meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte helped de-escalate immediate tensions related to US military bases on the island. The leaders' statements suggest a shift in understanding the current global landscape and its implications for Europe's future.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated on Monday that Europe cannot defend itself without the United States, addressing the European Parliament in Brussels amid concerns about transatlantic relations. Rutte's remarks followed President Trump's comments at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he downplayed seizing Greenland but also belittled Europe's reliance on America. Rutte, who has fostered a relationship with Trump, defended his role in easing Trump's threats regarding Greenland, though he denied negotiating on behalf of Denmark, which along with Greenland, has rejected a potential American takeover. Members of the European Parliament pressed Rutte for details on his discussions with Trump and any potential deal concerning Greenland's future, but Rutte remained vague.

In January 2026, US envoy Steve Witkoff announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos that Russia-Ukraine peace talks have narrowed to a single remaining issue. This announcement followed constructive talks between Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and US President Trump, who both expressed optimism. Witkoff and Jared Kushner were scheduled to travel to Moscow for further discussions with President Putin, followed by meetings in Abu Dhabi with military working groups. While the Kremlin acknowledged Witkoff's efforts, they declined to comment on the potential for a near-term deal. Zelenskyy indicated that documents were better prepared, and he had previously stated that he would only attend Davos if there was an opportunity to sign an agreement with Trump on resolving the war.

Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Davos, US President Donald Trump stated that the war in Ukraine "has to end," signaling this message would be conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting, described as "good," occurred amidst ongoing US-Ukrainian diplomatic efforts to secure peace, despite limited indications of Moscow's willingness to cease fighting. Trump mentioned that US envoys were heading to Moscow for talks. Zelensky had previously indicated his attendance at Davos was contingent on securing agreements with Trump regarding US security guarantees and post-war reconstruction funding for Ukraine, but no such breakthrough was announced after the meeting. This marks approximately the sixth face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Trump's return to the White House and shift towards diplomacy with Russia regarding Ukraine.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that Britain will not sign onto Donald Trump's "board of peace" initiative on Thursday, citing concerns about Russian involvement and broader legal issues. The board, unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos, aims to oversee a ceasefire and reconstruction in Gaza, though critics see it as undermining existing international bodies. Cooper stated that the UK supports Trump's Gaza plan but has reservations about the treaty's scope and Vladimir Putin's participation, given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While Trump claims Putin accepted an invitation to join, the Kremlin is seeking clarification. Several countries, including Saudi Arabia and Israel, have expressed interest in joining the board, which already includes figures like Tony Blair and Jared Kushner. Trump is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Davos.

In a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Europe to demonstrate greater courage and unity. He warned that NATO's dependence on the United States is vulnerable, citing Russia's growing missile capabilities and recent tensions surrounding Greenland as examples. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for Europe to act as a global power to counter these threats. His address aimed to encourage European nations to take a more proactive and independent role in ensuring their collective security. The speech highlights concerns about the shifting geopolitical landscape and the need for Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, President Trump promoted his new "Board of Peace," a controversial organization aimed at resolving international conflicts. The board, which requires a US$1 billion membership fee, has invited leaders like Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Viktor Orban to join. This announcement follows Trump's decision to scrap tariffs against Europe and dismiss the idea of acquiring Greenland from Denmark, actions that eased tensions at the global meeting. Trump expressed his belief that the board is the "greatest ever formed" during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, another leader who has agreed to participate. The launch occurs amidst reports of Trump's disappointment at not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Donald Trump launched his "board of peace" initiative, claiming the world is currently "richer, safer, and more peaceful" than a year ago. The signing ceremony included ministers and heads of government from 19 countries, including Morocco, Hungary, and Saudi Arabia. Trump stated the organization, which he will chair, could be "one of the most consequential bodies ever created" and suggested it could potentially work with or even supplant the United Nations. The board was initially conceived as part of a Gaza ceasefire plan but has since expanded to encompass a broader geopolitical role. Trump also repeated his claim to have stopped eight wars.

On Wednesday, Israeli forces killed at least 11 Palestinians in Gaza, marking one of the deadliest days since the October ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. The casualties included two 13-year-old boys killed in separate incidents, three journalists filming near a displacement camp, and a woman. The journalists were reportedly killed while filming near a displacement camp in central Gaza; the Israeli military stated they identified suspects operating a drone that posed a threat. One boy was killed by Israeli drones near the Bureij refugee camp, along with his father and another man, while the other was shot by troops in Bani Suheila. The incidents occurred as the United States attempts to advance a second phase of a deal between the involved parties.

Three Palestinian journalists working for an Egyptian relief organization were killed in an Israeli strike in central Gaza. The Israeli military stated they targeted individuals operating a Hamas-affiliated drone that posed a threat and are examining the incident. The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency identified the journalists as Mohammed Salah Qeshta, Anas Ghunaim, and Abdul Raouf Shaat, stating their car was hit in the al-Zahra area. Separately, eight other Palestinians, including two children, were reportedly killed by Israeli artillery and gunfire across Gaza on Wednesday. Since the ceasefire began on October 10th, at least 466 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, while the Israeli military reports three soldiers killed in attacks by Palestinian armed groups. Hamas condemned the strike as a violation of the ceasefire, while the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate called it a war crime.

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 11 people, according to Gaza health officials. Among the dead were three Palestinian journalists identified as Abdel Raouf Shaath, Mohammad Salah Qishta, and Anas Ghneim. The journalists were operating a drone near Al-Zahra when they were targeted. The Israeli military stated the journalists were operating a drone "affiliated with Hamas" and posed a threat, but the incident is under examination. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate stated the journalists were documenting the suffering of civilians in displacement camps. As of early January, at least 206 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war.