U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed appreciation for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s willingness to sign a minerals agreement with the United States and to engage in negotiations aimed at achieving lasting peace in Ukraine, The Guardian reports.
“Earlier today, I received an important letter from President Zelensky of Ukraine,” Trump announced in his speech before Congress, following last week’s failed White House meeting with the Ukrainian leader.
Quoting from the letter, Trump stated:
“Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. No one wants peace more than the Ukrainian people.”
Zelensky also reportedly affirmed Ukraine’s commitment to working under Trump’s leadership to secure a sustainable peace agreement, while expressing gratitude for U.S. support in preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.
Trump’s Negotiation Strategy with Russia
Trump further revealed that he has been in serious discussions with Russia and claimed to have received strong signals of willingness for peace from Moscow.
“Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” he asked. “It’s time to end this madness. It’s time to stop the killing. It’s time to end this senseless war. If you want to stop wars, you must talk to both sides.”
This shift in rhetoric marks a softening of Trump’s stance toward Ukraine, following a tense confrontation with Zelensky in the Oval Office, after which Trump ordered a suspension of all U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
While Trump was expected to outline his Ukraine-Russia peace plan in his congressional address, he did not provide further details, leaving uncertainty about the next steps in the conflict’s resolution.
