Washington Dismisses Zelensky's Claims on War Ending Timeline
Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, has dismissed statements made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggesting that Washington aims to conclude the conflict in Ukraine by summer.
In a statement to the Guardian, Whitaker said, "Zelensky mentioned a deadline in June; I do not believe the United States has indicated that." He emphasized that it is in Washington's interest to resolve the conflict "as quickly as possible," without specifying a timeline.
Conversely, Zelensky asserted that the United States is exerting pressure to reach a resolution before summer, proposing a new round of talks between Moscow and Kyiv in Miami within a week, which Ukraine has agreed to.
He added: "The Americans suggest that both sides should end the war before summer begins, and they will likely apply pressure on both sides to adhere to this timeline."
Zelensky also pointed out American political considerations, stating, "There is no doubt that the elections (the midterms in November) are more important to them, and they want to have everything settled by June."
This statement follows the second round of trilateral talks among Russia, the United States, and Ukraine held on February 4 and 5 in Abu Dhabi.
According to U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Moscow and Kyiv have agreed to exchange 314 prisoners of war, while discussions regarding a final resolution of the conflict will continue in the coming weeks, as reported by the news agency TASS.
