---
title: "Zelensky sets deadline: negotiations with Putin must take place before winter arrives"
description: "Zelensky sets an ultimatum: negotiations with Putin must begin before winter. The head of Ukraine explained that the country is not ready to endure a second \"terrible winter\" and reminded that the cold will hit Russia as well. 🇺🇦❄️"
date: 2026-06-16T12:46:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelensky-sets-deadline-negotiations-with-putin-before-winter
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Zelensky sets deadline: negotiations with Putin must take place before winter arrives

![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in front of the flags of Ukraine, EU, and Poland, discussing the deadline for negotiations with Putin before winter](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/16/zelen-skii-putin-peregovory-do-zimy/zelen-skii-putin-peregovory-do-zimy-1.webp)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has outlined strict timeframes for a potential dialogue with Russian leadership. According to the head of state, negotiations with Vladimir Putin must be organized before the onset of the winter season. Zelensky believes this step is critical for both countries.

### The shadow of last winter

The Ukrainian leader's main argument is based on the experience gained in previous months. Speaking to journalists, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine does not intend to endure the difficulties it faced during the last winter period again. "It was a terrible winter for us," the president stated, noting that the country has exhausted its resilience for surviving under similar conditions.

The situation with energy and infrastructure, which was extremely tense previously, dictates the need to find diplomatic solutions before the cold sets in, to avoid repeating a humanitarian and economic catastrophe.

### Difficulties for Moscow

Zelensky also drew attention to the situation in Russia. He stated that the upcoming winter period does not promise to be easy for the Russian side either. The president emphasized that Moscow must realize: if the Ukrainian side has already endured a "terrible winter," the situation will be difficult for Russia as well.

"Russia must know that we had a terrible winter, and it will be difficult for them too," Zelensky noted. Thus, he positions the early start of negotiations as a mutually beneficial solution capable of preventing an escalation of problems during the cold season for both sides.

### The key to dialogue

In his statement, the President of Ukraine clearly outlined his position: the proposal concerns dialogue specifically. He believes that discussing security issues and stabilizing the situation should be a priority before climatic conditions worsen the situation on the front lines and in the rear.

This initiative fits into the context of recent international contacts. Earlier, there were reports of a meeting between Zelensky and Donald Trump, where the parties discussed issues of war and support for Ukraine. The American politician, in turn, stated that for an agreement to be reached, Moscow must take corresponding steps.