During the White House meeting last Friday, Trump accused Zelensky of "gambling with World War III" and told him that Ukraine "is in big trouble."
Despite the tense atmosphere, Zelensky on Tuesday reiterated Ukraine's desire for peace, saying: "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."
He added: "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."
Zelensky also declared Ukraine’s readiness to sign a minerals deal with the United States, a disputed bilateral agreement that had been delayed due to the argument.
"We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively," Zelensky said on X, adding that Ukraine is willing to sign the deal "at any time and in any convenient format."
Zelensky also said in his post: "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 added: "Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal."
This framework closely mirrors a plan proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron after a recent summit, news outlets reported.
Zelensky also acknowledged America’s past support, particularly Trump’s provision of Javelin missiles, but expressed concern over the US military aid pause, which officials say is now contingent upon Ukraine's commitment to peace talks.
Zelensky's statement signals an effort to reassert Ukraine’s role in discussions on the future of the conflict, as Ukraine was notably excluded from recent US-Russia talks, US broadcaster CNN reported.
(mp/gs)
Source: CNN/X/@ZelenskyyUa
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