Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the first stages to ending the war with Russia could include a prisoner release, and a truce in the sky and sea if Moscow does the same.
In a move seemingly aimed at putting Ukraine-U.S. relations back on track after a dramatic showdown in Washington with Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance last week, Zelenskyy took to X on Tuesday with an apparent olive branch.
In his post, Zelenskyy wrote: “We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky — ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure — and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same.
“Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal.”
Addressing the unprecedented public spat in the Oval Office on Friday, Zelenskyy appeared to address the dramatic public falling out on live TV and Trump's inner circle demanding that the Ukrainian president apologize.
"Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive," Zelenskyy wrote.
In his post, Zelenskyy wrote: “We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky — ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure — and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same.
“Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal.”
'Trump's strong leadership'
Addressing the unprecedented public spat in the Oval Office on Friday, Zelenskyy appeared to address the dramatic public falling out on live TV and Trump's inner circle demanding that the Ukrainian president apologize.
"Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive," Zelenskyy wrote.
He also made specific reference to Javelin missiles that the U.S. had supplied to Ukraine, which were an important weapon in stopping the Russian tank columns bearing down on Kyiv in the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion.
Trump had raised their supply as a talking point in the Washington showdown when he was accused of ingratitude to the U.S. weapons contribution to Ukraine by the president and Vice-President JD Vance.
"We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this," wrote Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy continued: "My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership to get a peace that lasts."
Finally, referring to the minerals deal that Trump has made a crucial part of any U.S. support for a peace deal, Zelenskyy said: "Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format. We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively."
President Trump is due to address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening.
Trump had raised their supply as a talking point in the Washington showdown when he was accused of ingratitude to the U.S. weapons contribution to Ukraine by the president and Vice-President JD Vance.
"We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this," wrote Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy continued: "My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership to get a peace that lasts."
Finally, referring to the minerals deal that Trump has made a crucial part of any U.S. support for a peace deal, Zelenskyy said: "Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format. We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively."
President Trump is due to address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening.
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