Key points
- Trump appreciates the letter from Zelensky expressing willingness to sign minerals deal
- Development takes place days after a White House clash
- Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians: Trump
ISLAMABAD: United States President Donald Trump has said that Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky has told him Kyiv was ready for talks with Russia and finalization of a US minerals deal, days after a White House clash.
“I received an important letter from President Zelensky of Ukraine. The letter reads, ‘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 said in an address to Congress.
“He said, ‘My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts. We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence,” Trump added.
In the Oval Office, Vice President JD Vance alleged Zelensky of being ungrateful for US assistance and Trump berated the wartime leader as not having “cards” to play, AFP reported.
Zelensky left without signing an agreement pushed by Trump for the US to secure control over Ukrainian mineral resources.
“Serious discussions with Russia”
The Trump administration later said it was suspending all military assistance to Kyiv, which Moscow invaded three years ago.
Addressing Congress, where many legislators of the rival Democratic Party wore US and Ukrainian flags on their lapel, Trump said, “Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you.”
“I appreciate that he sent this letter. Just got it a little while ago,” AFP cited Trump as saying.
“Simultaneously, we’ve had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace,” he said.
“Wouldn’t that be beautiful?”
Earlier, BBC reported that Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is still “ready to sign” a US-Ukraine minerals deal.
Ukraine’s future
Ukraine’s president said despite a fractious meeting with US President Donald Trump last week, he is still willing to have a “constructive dialogue” with the US, adding: “I just want the Ukrainian position to be heard,” according to BBC.
Trump has said the deal will help secure a peace agreement by giving the US a financial stake in Ukraine’s future, Reuters reported. Trump views it as America’s way of earning back some of the tens of billions of dollars it has given to Ukraine in financial and military aid since Russia invaded three years ago, according to Reuters.
