Trump says Zelenskyy ready for peace dialogue, US-Ukraine plans to sign minerals deal

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy had written to express gratitude for US support and signaled readiness to sign a deal securing future American backing for Ukraine’s war effort against Russia.  

Addressing Congress, Trump quoted Zelenskyy’s letter, stating that Ukraine was prepared to negotiate peace with Russia “as soon as possible” and was willing to move forward with a critical minerals agreement with the US.  

This follows a tense White House meeting last week, during which Trump and Vice President JD Vance admonished Zelenskyy, leading to the Ukrainian president’s abrupt departure.  

Trump’s speech came amid fresh tensions after Vance questioned a British-French proposal for an international security force in postwar Ukraine, calling it a less practical deterrent against Russian President Vladimir Putin than the minerals deal.  

"Earlier today, I received an important letter from President Zelenskyy," Trump said, quoting the Ukrainian leader as saying, “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," as Associated Press reported.

Trump added that Zelenskyy said he was ready to sign the minerals deal “at any. time that is convenient.”

Why minerals deal was put on hold?

The agreement, which was expected to allocate 50 per cent of revenues from Ukraine’s state-owned natural resources to a US-Ukraine reconstruction fund, was derailed after a tense Oval Office meeting last Friday. Zelenskyy, who had traveled to Washington to sign the deal, left abruptly after Trump and Vice President JD Vance reprimanded him for publicly requesting additional aid.  

According to the AP, US officials have since encouraged Kyiv to move forward with the deal, with some reportedly advising Zelenskyy to issue a public apology to Trump in an effort to mend relations.  

During the meeting, Trump pushed Zelenskyy to consider a ceasefire with Russia, but the Ukrainian president resisted, warning that any agreement without security guarantees could leave Ukraine vulnerable to renewed aggression. He reportedly presented Trump with images of war-affected Ukrainian civilians, an appeal that was met with skepticism.  

"You don’t know that. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel," Trump snapped when Zelenskyy suggested the US could eventually face the broader consequences of Russia’s war during last Friday's meeting. 

Zelenskyy insisted that Kyiv “will never accept just a ceasefire” and cautioned that Russia could use a temporary truce to regroup. Trump, frustrated by the response, accused him of “gambling with World War III.” Vance also pressed Zelenskyy, asking, “Have you said thank you once?” in reference to the US's extensive military and financial support.  

Despite the fallout, Zelenskyy later took to social media, calling the White House meeting “regrettable” but reaffirming Ukraine’s commitment to signing the minerals deal. "Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer," he posted.   

(With inputs from AP)