The speech comes after the pair’s meeting last week in the White House was cut short
President Donald Trump read a letter he received from Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Congress yesterday (4 March), following the pair’s rather heated meeting recently at the White House.
On February 28, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, 47, met with Trump, 78, and US Vice President JD Vance, 40, at the White House for a joint press conference. They were also meant to sign a rare earth minerals deal.
However, angry scenes ensued, with the US leader claiming Zelenkyy was ‘gambling with World War III’ and the ‘lives of millions of people’ amid Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine.
“You either make a deal or we are out,” Trump claimed. “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel.”
At one point, Vance also remarked that Zelenskyy had not ‘said thank you’ for the ongoing support of the US during the meeting.
Following the heated exchange, the joint press conference was cancelled and the politician was asked to leave the White House.
In the days following, Zelenskyy issued a thank you to US citizens and Trump for their ‘support’ and now, it appears he has sent a letter, stating his country is ready to work with the US.
“Earlier today I received I received an important letter from President Zelenskyy of Ukraine,” Trump began as he addressed a joint session of Congress in Washington on Tuesday (March 4).
“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, he said.”
Clapping could be heard as the 47th President of the United States continued to read.
“My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.
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“We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.”
The notice continued to say that regarding the agreement on earth minerals – which was also abandoned after the pair’s fiery meeting in the Oval Office – the country is ‘ready’ to sign at ‘any’ convenient time.
Following the reading, Trump praised Zelenskyy for sending him the letter, telling the audience that he ‘appreciated’ the gesture.
The businessman also claimed there had been ‘serious discussions’ with Russia and that he’d received ‘strong signals that they are ready for peace’.
Trump, however, did not stipulate when these alleged talks had taken place, and whether he was involved in them.
“It’s time to end this senseless war. If you want to end wars, you have to talk to both sides,” he added.
Ukraine has not publicly commented on the letter, which was reportedly received early on Tuesday.
Elsewhere in the address, Trump claimed his current administration was the ‘most successful in the history of our nation’ before thanking Elon Musk for heading up the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“Thank you Elon, you’re working really hard,” The Daily Mail reports. “He didn’t need this.”
DOGE, which is considered an initiative rather than a legal government office, is tasked with reducing federal spending.
53-year-old Musk has also vowed to give taxpayers money back while cutting the US’ national debt, which currently stands at an eye-watering $36.22 trillion, as per US Treasury Fiscal Data.
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