What's happened
Ukrainian President Zelensky plans to announce election and referendum conditions amid US deadlines for peace. Russia continues missile and drone attacks disrupting energy supplies, while EU and US efforts seek a sustainable peace plan. Tensions remain high as negotiations stall and military strikes persist.
What's behind the headline?
The current situation underscores the complex interplay of military, diplomatic, and geopolitical factors. Zelensky's readiness for elections and a referendum signals Ukraine's intent to maintain sovereignty, but conditions set for these processes reflect internal and external pressures. Russia's persistent missile and drone attacks, targeting energy infrastructure, aim to weaken Ukraine's resilience and complicate peace efforts. The EU's push for a 'sustainable peace plan' highlights a desire to balance pressure on Russia with the need for broader European consensus. Meanwhile, US deadlines and diplomatic efforts appear to be more about exerting influence than facilitating immediate resolution. The divergence in approaches—Ukraine's focus on sovereignty, Russia's military stance, and EU/US diplomatic strategies—suggests a prolonged conflict with no quick resolution. The likelihood is that negotiations will remain deadlocked until Russia faces significant economic or military setbacks, or until internal political pressures force a change in its stance. The ongoing attacks and energy disruptions will likely persist, further complicating Ukraine's stability and the prospects for peace in the near term.
What the papers say
The Independent reports Zelensky's plans to announce election and referendum conditions amid US deadlines, emphasizing Ukraine's readiness for democratic processes despite ongoing conflict. The article highlights Russia's continued missile and drone strikes targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, with recent attacks disrupting heating and power supplies in Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa. It also notes Russia's use of cluster munitions and the ongoing efforts by Moscow to promote domestic internet platforms like 'MAX' amidst tensions with foreign tech providers.
The Financial Times details Zelensky's upcoming announcement on election plans, driven by US pressure for a June peace deadline, and the EU's efforts to craft a 'sustainable peace plan' that demands concessions from Russia, including limits on military forces and the return of abducted children. EU officials stress the importance of European consensus and the need to push Russia for meaningful negotiations.
AP News discusses the broader diplomatic deadlock, with Russian officials playing for time and U.S. officials claiming progress in prisoner exchanges and negotiations. Estonia's intelligence chief suggests Moscow is not genuinely interested in peace, while U.S. officials highlight recent prisoner swaps as signs of progress. The article also covers the internal Russian belief that they can still win militarily, despite evidence of setbacks on the ground, and the potential for prolonged conflict if Putin's internal assessments remain optimistic.
How we got here
The conflict in Ukraine escalated after Russia's invasion in 2022, with Ukraine seeking international support for its sovereignty. The US has set a June deadline for peace negotiations, while Russia insists on Ukraine's withdrawal from Donbas. EU efforts aim to create a sustainable peace framework, but negotiations remain stalled amid continued military strikes and energy disruptions.
Go deeper
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
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