New reports suggest that US negotiators are hoping to wrap up talks within weeks
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The United States is aiming to secure a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine as early as next month, according to new reports.
Ukrainian negotiators and US officials discussed the ambitious target during discussions in Abu Dhabi this week, three sources told Reuters.
However, the timeline is likely to be delayed as both sides disagree on the key issue of territory, the report continued.
President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters that the Americans “want to do everything by June” in comments on Friday that were embargoed until Saturday morning.
It comes after Russia blamed Kyiv for the shooting of a senior military general outside a residential building in Moscow, state media reported.
The Kremlin claimed that Kyiv was responsible for the shooting of Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, without providing evidence. Ukraine has not commented on the attack.
The suspect is said to have fled the scene after shooting Lieutenant General Alexeyev several times in the Russian capital. He is currently in the hospital.
Meanwhile, the US is aiming to get a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia over the line in March despite a lack of progress on territorial concessions, according to reports.
Several countries and high-profile individuals are involved in the discussions, which have resulted in public disagreements. The Independent looks at some of the key characters below.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has had reports from Ukrainian intelligence services that Russia’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev proposed cooperation deals between Russia and the US worth $12 trillion.
The Ukrainian leader insisted that such bilateral agreements could not violate the Ukrainian constitution.
Ukraine and Russia concluded two days of US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi this week without a major breakthrough but the two sides agreed to exchange 157 prisoners of war each, after a five-month pause.
Ukraine’s drones struck a Russian plant that makes missile fuel, according to the country’s security agency in a statement on Saturday.
A huge fire is reported to have broken out at the plant in the Tver region of western Russia.
An official said that components for missile fuel for Russia's X-55 and X-101 cruise missiles and other elements for diesel and aviation fuel were produced there.
“Even a temporary shutdown complicates the production of rocket fuel and reduces the enemy's ability to maintain the intensity of shelling of our cities,” the official said.
Russia is set to question two suspects in connection with the attempted assassination of top Russian military intelligence official General Vladimir Alexeyev, according to reports by Russia’s Kommersant on Saturday.
The two individuals will “soon be interrogated”, it said, but did not confirm if the people had been detained. Russia has not officially commented on the reports.
Alexeyev regained consciousness on Saturday after undergoing a successful surgery but remains under medical supervision, Kommersant said.
The United States is aiming to secure a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine as early as next month, according to new reports.
Ukrainian negotiators and US officials discussed the ambitious target during discussions in Abu Dhabi this week, three sources told Reuters.
However, the timeline is likely to be delayed as both sides disagree on the key issue of territory, the report continued.
President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters that the Americans “want to do everything by June” in comments on Friday that were embargoed until Saturday morning.
“The Americans are proposing the parties end the war by the beginning of this summer and will probably put pressure on the parties precisely according to this schedule,” he said.
“And they say that they want to do everything by June. And they will do everything to end the war. And they want a clear schedule of all events.”
Ukraine has been forced to halt its production over nuclear power amid ongoing military activity, International Atomic Energy Agency said on Saturday.
“Ukraine’s NPPs reduced power output again this morning after renewed military activity affected electrical substations and disconnected some power lines, IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi says,” the statement on X read.
“DG Grossi reiterates call for restraint as worsening grid situation compromises nuclear safety.”
A top Russian military general, said to be involved in the 2018 Salisbury poisonings, was shot outside his Moscow apartment in an alleged assassination attempt.
An unidentified gunman fired several shots at Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, deputy head of the GRU, Russia's military intelligence arm, before fleeing the scene, the investigators said.
It is the latest in a series of assassination attempts Russia has blamed on Ukraine.
Russia launched more than 400 drones and about 40 missiles on Saturday to attack Ukraine's energy sector, targeting the power grid, generation facilities, and distribution substations, president Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"Every day, Russia could choose real diplomacy, but it chooses new strikes," Zelensky posted on X.
"It is crucial that everyone who supports the trilateral negotiations respond to this. Moscow must be deprived of the ability to use the cold as leverage against Ukraine."
Two airports in southeastern Poland were suspended from operations as a precaution due to Russian strikes on nearby Ukrainian territory, Polish authorities said this morning.
"In connection with the need to ensure the possibility of the free operation of military aviation, the airports in Rzeszow and Lublin have temporarily suspended flight operations," the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency posted on X.
Both cities are close to the country's border with Ukraine, with Rzeszow being Nato's main hub for arms supplies to Ukraine.
Military aviation had begun operating in Polish airspace due to Russian strikes on Ukraine, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said on X.
"These actions are of a preventive nature and are aimed at securing and protecting the airspace, particularly in areas adjacent to the threatened regions," the army said.
Several countries and high-profile individuals are involved in the discussions, which have resulted in public disagreements. The Independent looks at some of the key characters below.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has had reports from Ukrainian intelligence services that Russia’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev proposed cooperation deals between Russia and the US worth $12 trillion.
The Ukrainian leader insisted that such bilateral agreements could not violate the Ukrainian constitution.
Ukraine and Russia concluded two days of US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi this week without a major breakthrough but the two sides agreed to exchange 157 prisoners of war each, after a five-month pause.
Ukraine’s drones struck a Russian plant that makes missile fuel, according to the country’s security agency in a statement on Saturday.
A huge fire is reported to have broken out at the plant in the Tver region of western Russia.
An official said that components for missile fuel for Russia's X-55 and X-101 cruise missiles and other elements for diesel and aviation fuel were produced there.
“Even a temporary shutdown complicates the production of rocket fuel and reduces the enemy's ability to maintain the intensity of shelling of our cities,” the official said.
Russia is set to question two suspects in connection with the attempted assassination of top Russian military intelligence official General Vladimir Alexeyev, according to reports by Russia’s Kommersant on Saturday.
The two individuals will “soon be interrogated”, it said, but did not confirm if the people had been detained. Russia has not officially commented on the reports.
Alexeyev regained consciousness on Saturday after undergoing a successful surgery but remains under medical supervision, Kommersant said.
Alexeyev has regained consciousness after being shot in a suspected assassination attempt
The United States is aiming to secure a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine as early as next month, according to new reports.
Ukrainian negotiators and US officials discussed the ambitious target during discussions in Abu Dhabi this week, three sources told Reuters.
However, the timeline is likely to be delayed as both sides disagree on the key issue of territory, the report continued.
President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters that the Americans “want to do everything by June” in comments on Friday that were embargoed until Saturday morning.
“The Americans are proposing the parties end the war by the beginning of this summer and will probably put pressure on the parties precisely according to this schedule,” he said.
“And they say that they want to do everything by June. And they will do everything to end the war. And they want a clear schedule of all events.”
Ukraine has been forced to halt its production over nuclear power amid ongoing military activity, International Atomic Energy Agency said on Saturday.
“Ukraine’s NPPs reduced power output again this morning after renewed military activity affected electrical substations and disconnected some power lines, IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi says,” the statement on X read.
“DG Grossi reiterates call for restraint as worsening grid situation compromises nuclear safety.”
People sit on folding chairs while others sleep on the floor with sleeping bags as a man in military uniform walks past, in Kyiv, Ukraine on February 7, 2026. Civilians gathered in metro stations with bedding and basic supplies to seek safety during nighttime air attacks on the city. (Photo by Daniel Yovkov / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)
People sit on chairs and benches inside a metro station while taking shelter during the night, in Kyiv, Ukraine on February 7, 2026. Residents gathered underground with blankets, sleeping bags, and makeshift bedding to stay safe during nighttime air attacks on the city. (Photo by Daniel Yovkov / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)
Women sit on folding chairs inside a metro station while taking shelter during the night, in Kyiv, Ukraine on February 7, 2026. Civilians used metro stations as temporary refuges with chairs, blankets, and sleeping bags to stay safe during overnight air attacks. (Photo by Daniel Yovkov / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)
A top Russian military general, said to be involved in the 2018 Salisbury poisonings, was shot outside his Moscow apartment in an alleged assassination attempt.
An unidentified gunman fired several shots at Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, deputy head of the GRU, Russia's military intelligence arm, before fleeing the scene, the investigators said.
It is the latest in a series of assassination attempts Russia has blamed on Ukraine.
Read the full story here.
Russia launched more than 400 drones and about 40 missiles on Saturday to attack Ukraine's energy sector, targeting the power grid, generation facilities, and distribution substations, president Volodymyr Zelensky said.
\"Every day, Russia could choose real diplomacy, but it chooses new strikes,\" Zelensky posted on X.
\"It is crucial that everyone who supports the trilateral negotiations respond to this. Moscow must be deprived of the ability to use the cold as leverage against Ukraine.\"
Two airports in southeastern Poland were suspended from operations as a precaution due to Russian strikes on nearby Ukrainian territory, Polish authorities said this morning.
\"In connection with the need to ensure the possibility of the free operation of military aviation, the airports in Rzeszow and Lublin have temporarily suspended flight operations,\" the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency posted on X.
Both cities are close to the country's border with Ukraine, with Rzeszow being Nato's main hub for arms supplies to Ukraine.
Military aviation had begun operating in Polish airspace due to Russian strikes on Ukraine, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said on X.
\"These actions are of a preventive nature and are aimed at securing and protecting the airspace, particularly in areas adjacent to the threatened regions,\" the army said.
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