Donald Trump has said he received an “important letter” from his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, signaling Kyiv’s readiness to “come to the negotiating table” to finalize a peace deal in Ukraine.
Relations between Washington and Kyiv hit a new low after Trump, Zelenskyy and U.S. Vice President JD Vance clashed in a fiery on-air exchange in the Oval Office on Friday.
The confrontation, which appeared to threaten a $500 billion minerals deal due to be signed by the U.S. and Ukraine, sparked fears among America’s traditional allies that Washington could lurch toward Moscow.
These fears increased on Monday when Trump suspended arms supplies to Ukraine.
However, on Tuesday, Zelenskyy sought to ease tensions, saying that his administration was prepared to “work with the U.S. to agree on a strong final deal.”
Addressing a joint session of Congress later that day, Trump said Zelenskyy had sent him a letter expressing a desire for peace and a willingness to resume negotiations.
Quoting from the letter, Trump said: “Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians.”
Trump also said he had been in “serious discussions with Russia” and had “received strong signals that they are ready for peace.”
“Wouldn’t that be beautiful?” he said, adding: “It’s time to stop this madness. It’s time to halt the killing. It’s time to end this senseless war.
“If you want to end wars, you have to talk to both sides,” he continued but made no comment on whether he would lift the suspension of arms deliveries.
Trump was expected to further outline his plans for Ukraine and Russia in the speech to Congress but did not reveal any further details on how he plans to end Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II.
Trump also said Ukraine was ready to sign the minerals deal with the U.S., which was put in limbo following Friday’s tense showdown.
The agreement, which would grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s vast mineral resources in exchange for military and financial support, is seen by Washington as critical to ensuring continued American backing for Kyiv’s defense.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy said he wanted to “make things right” and was ready “any time and in any convenient format” to sign the minerals deal.
