Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States wants to push Kyiv and Moscow toward ending the war before the start of summer, comments that came as Russia launched another overnight barrage of missiles and drones against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
In remarks released by his office on February 7, Zelenskyy said Washington had proposed a new round of talks between Ukraine and Russia to take place in Miami in a week – and that Kyiv had agreed to participate.
Moscow and Washington have not commented about future talks scheduled for Miami.
“The Americans are proposing that the parties end the war before the start of this summer, and will likely pressure the parties to adhere to this schedule,” Zelenskyy said. “The [US midterm Congressional] elections are definitely more important to them. Let’s not be naive. And they say they want to get everything done by June.”
SEE ALSO: Suspects Reportedly Detained Over Shooting Of Top Russian Intelligence GeneralThose comments came hours after Russian missiles and drones struck Ukrainian power plants and electricity networks overnight, triggering rolling blackouts and renewing pressure on a grid already battered by weeks of attacks, Ukrainian authorities said.
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said the government instituted emergency nationwide power shutdowns after the strikes, which hit electricity generation and distribution facilities across the country. Kyiv also requested emergency assistance from Poland after Russia struck the Burshtynska and Dobrotvirska power plants in western Ukraine.
“Russian criminals carried out another massive attack on Ukraine’s energy facilities. The attack continues,” Shmyhal said in a statement posted on Telegram. “Energy workers are ready to start repair works as soon as the security situation allows.”
A Barrage Against Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure
The International Atomic Energy Agency said Ukrainian nuclear power plants reduced output following the overnight strikes, which damaged electrical substations and disconnected some power lines.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the attack involved missiles and drones targeting key population centers across central and western Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said the strikes were part of a broader campaign by Moscow to deprive civilians of heating amid freezing winter temperatures.
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The latest assault comes after weeks of Russian strikes that have already left parts of the country, particularly Kyiv, without power, heat, and in some cases running water, as temperatures at times plunged below minus 20 degrees Celsius.
Kyiv has been hit particularly hard. More than 1,110 apartment blocks remained without heat following an assault on the capital last week.
The strikes unfolded against the backdrop of renewed diplomacy. Kyiv and Moscow concluded two days of US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi this week without a major breakthrough, though they agreed to a large prisoner swap.
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Zelenskyy said in his February 7 comments that military teams discussed technical aspects of how to monitor a potential cease-fire, as well as security guarantees for Ukraine and agreements on postwar economic cooperation, referred to by officials as a “prosperity plan.”
He also said Ukrainian intelligence had reported on discussions in which Russia’s special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, proposed cooperation deals between Russia and the United States worth as much as $12 trillion, adding that any such agreements could not violate Ukraine’s constitution.
SEE ALSO: 'Ukraine Is Not Losing, Russia Is Not Winning': Amid Push For Peace, Here's How Things Look On The BattlefieldUS President Donald Trump said on February 6 that the talks could lead to progress.
“Very, very good talks today, having to do with Russia-Ukraine,” Trump told reporters. “Something could be happening.”
The Kremlin has said a third round of peace talks should take place “soon,” though no date has been announced.
Zelenskyy has meanwhile called for faster action to strengthen air defenses and repair damaged infrastructure, warning that personnel changes would be made where defenses had not performed effectively.
“The small-scale air defense component, specifically countering attack drones, must work more efficiently and prevent the problems that exist,” he said in his nightly address on February 6.