Trump Reveals Zelensky Letter Amidst Aid Suspension, Calls for Negotiations
US President Donald Trump revealed the contents of a letter he received from Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky during an address to Congress on Tuesday night, as per Al Jazeera.
In the letter, Zelensky expressed Ukraine’s readiness for negotiations with Russia and willingness to sign a rare minerals deal with the United States.
“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 while quoting from the letter. He further quoted Zelensky as writing, “‘My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts’.”
Trump then remarked:
“Wouldn’t that be beautiful? 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.”
The revelation of Zelensky’s letter follows a period of heightened tensions between the two leaders. Days prior, a heated exchange in the Oval Office led to the US suspending military aid to Ukraine.
Zelensky subsequently attempted to mend the relationship, stating on social media that their clash was “regrettable” and expressing a desire to “make things right.”
In his address, Trump also mentioned Ukraine’s readiness to sign an agreement for rare earth minerals “at any time that is convenient for you.” Ukraine is believed to possess valuable deposits of strategically important minerals, including titanium, lithium, and manganese, which could benefit US aerospace, electric vehicle, and medical manufacturing industries.
The rare minerals deal remained unsigned after Zelensky’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., due to the dispute with Trump. Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of ingratitude for US assistance, and Trump said Zelensky had no “cards” to play.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has characterized the cessation of US military aid to Ukraine as a potentially positive step towards peace, while also stating they are awaiting official confirmation of Trump’s decision.
