VOLODYMYR Zelenskyy is “ready” to work with US President Donald Trump to work on a peace deal in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian president vowed that it is “time to make things right” with Trump, stating Ukraine is prepared to sign the USA’s proposed minerals deal.
On Tuesday evening a report had suggested that the minerals deal, which would see Kyiv sign over 50% of its rare minerals to the Americans, could be back on, after sources told Reuters that the US president had indicated he wanted to announce the agreement in his headline address to Congress.
Zelenskyy posted on Twitter/X on Tuesday to say that Ukraine is “ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible” to secure peace.
Relations between the US and Ukraine appeared to be dramatically strained last week after a tense confrontation between Trump and Zelenskyy in the White House Oval Office.
The Ukrainian leader called for a “truce in the sky” and a “truce in the sea” if Russia agrees to the same, and described the Oval Office clash as “regrettable”.
I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace. None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 4, 2025
“Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be,” he said.
“It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.
“Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format. We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively.”
In an address to Congress, Trump criticised European countries for spending “more money buying Russian oil and gas” than on “defending Ukraine”, while thanking Zelenskyy for his willingness to resume peace negotiations.
Trump said: “I want (the war in Ukraine) to stop.
“Europe has sadly spent more money buying Russian oil and gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine, by far.
“Think of that. And we’ve spent perhaps 350 billion dollars (£273bn), like taking candy from a baby. That’s what happened.
“And they’ve spent 100bn dollars (£78bn), what a difference that is. And we have an ocean separating us.”
He also said he had received a letter from Zelenskyy which said the Ukrainian leader was ready to sign an agreement on minerals and security “at any time”.
Quoting Zelenskyy’s words in the letter, the US president 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. Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you’.”
Trump added: “I appreciate that he sent this letter… we’ve had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace. 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.”
This follows the First Minister John Swinney backing calls for Zelenskyy to be invited to address the Scottish Parliament, saying that such an address would be an “opportunity for us as a country to come together to express our solidarity with the people of Ukraine”.
