 "'Ready to work under Trump's strong leadership': Zelenskyy says prepared to sign mineral deal, regrets live TV clash")
Days after his Oval Office spat with US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday said that Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible and expressed his willingness to work under President Trump’s “strong leadership” to achieve lasting peace.
Taking to X, in his first public comments since Trump halted US military aid to Ukraine, Zelenskyy said, “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 President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”
I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 4, 2025
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…
He outlined initial steps toward peace, including the release of prisoners and a truce in the sky and truce in the sea, if Russia will do the same.
“We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky — ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure — and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same,” he said.
He said Ukraine wants to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree on a strong final deal.
“We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this,” he added.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsReflecting on a recent meeting at the White House, Zelenskyy expressed regret that the meeting did not proceed as planned
“It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive,” said Zelenskyy.
Regarding a potential minerals and security agreement, Zelenskyy affirmed that Ukraine is ready to sign at any convenient time, viewing the deal as a crucial step toward enhanced security and solid guarantees.
“I truly hope it will work effectively,” he added.
A dramatic collapse in the Kyiv-Washington wartime alliance has played out publicly since an Oval Office clash between Zelenskyy and Trump last week, crescendoing with Ukraine’s top ally suspending crucial military aid.
Trump’s surprising decision on Monday to halt aid to Ukraine heightened fears in Kyiv and Europe that the US is shifting its focus from allies to Moscow.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed Trump’s move, suggesting it could push Ukraine towards peace, saying, “If the United States stops (military supplies), this would probably be the best contribution to peace.”
With the US and Russia negotiating a potential truce without Ukraine or the EU, European leaders are scrambling to reinforce support for Kyiv.
Tensions escalated last week during a clash between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, where Trump warned Zelenskyy he “won’t be around very long” without a ceasefire.
In response, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a plan to mobilise €800 billion ($840 billion) for defence, aiming to significantly bolster support for Ukraine with immediate military equipment.
An emergency EU summit is scheduled for Thursday to solidify joint European backing for Ukraine.
With inputs from agencies
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