WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had signaled Kyiv’s readiness to negotiate peace with Russia and finalize a minerals agreement with the United States.
The statement comes just days after a tense White House meeting between the two leaders ended without a deal.
Speaking before Congress, Trump read from a letter he said he had received from Zelensky.
According to Trump, the letter stated, “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.”
Zelensky also reportedly praised Trump’s leadership, saying, “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.”
Zelensky’s apparent olive branch follows a highly publicized clash with Trump in the Oval Office last Friday.
During that meeting, Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for U.S. military aid, while Trump dismissed Ukraine’s bargaining position, saying Zelensky had no “cards” to play.
The standoff culminated in Zelensky walking away without signing an agreement pushed by Trump to grant the U.S. control over Ukrainian mineral resources.
In response, the Trump administration announced a freeze on all military aid to Ukraine, which has been battling a Russian invasion for the past three years.
Addressing lawmakers, many of whom wore U.S. and Ukrainian flag pins in a show of solidarity with Kyiv, Trump suggested the minerals deal was back on track.
“Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you,” Trump told Congress.
The president also hinted at potential progress on the broader conflict, saying, “Simultaneously, we’ve had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace.”
“Wouldn’t that be beautiful?” he added.
While the White House has yet to confirm any direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, Trump’s remarks suggest his administration is pushing for a diplomatic breakthrough—one that may also secure U.S. access to Ukraine’s valuable natural resources.
Zelensky, for his part, told reporters earlier Tuesday that he wanted to “make things right” with Trump after their heated exchange.
However, whether Ukraine will move forward with both negotiations—a peace deal with Russia and a mineral agreement with the U.S.—remains to be seen.
