Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has disclosed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent him a letter expressing willingness to negotiate peace with Russia and finalize a rare minerals agreement with the United States.
Speaking before Congress on Tuesday night, Trump read excerpts from the letter, quoting Zelenskyy as saying Ukraine is “ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible” and that his team is prepared to work under Trump's leadership to secure a lasting peace.
"Wouldn't that be beautiful?" Trump remarked. "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 follows a tense meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House, during which the U.S. suspended vital military aid to Ukraine in the midst of its prolonged conflict with Russia. The fallout from that confrontation led Zelenskyy to publicly express regret, stating he wished to “make things right” with Trump.
In his congressional address, Trump also revealed Ukraine’s willingness to sign an agreement granting the U.S. access to its rare earth minerals, which are crucial for aerospace, electric vehicle production, and medical technology. Details of the proposed deal were not disclosed.
Ukraine is known to possess significant reserves of critical minerals such as titanium, lithium, and manganese—resources the U.S. sees as strategically valuable. The Trump administration has argued that deepening economic ties with Ukraine through such an agreement could serve as a deterrent against future Russian aggression.
Zelenskyy reportedly left the rare minerals deal open for discussion following his contentious meeting with Trump, during which U.S. Vice President JD Vance accused him of lacking gratitude for American assistance. Trump, in turn, asserted that Zelenskyy had little leverage in negotiations.
The Ukrainian leader’s willingness to negotiate suggests the White House exchange did not unfold in his favor. “There was pressure on him to strike a deal,” a political analyst noted. “And he is now willing to accept what Trump is offering, which includes access to Ukraine’s mineral wealth in exchange for some degree of American support.”
While Trump was expected to outline a clear plan for resolving the Ukraine-Russia conflict, he provided few specifics, though he did confirm holding “serious discussions with Russia.”
Meanwhile, the Kremlin responded by welcoming the prospect of U.S. military aid to Ukraine being cut off, calling it a step toward peace while awaiting official confirmation of Trump’s decision.
