U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he appreciated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's willingness to sign a minerals deal with the United States and come to the negotiating table under his leadership to bring a lasting peace closer in Kyiv's war with Russia, Reuters reports.
Trump said in an address to the U.S. Congress that Zelenskiy made the declaration in a letter to him earlier in the day.
Zelenskiy posted on X earlier that Ukraine was ready to sign the deal and talk peace and called a contentious Oval Office meeting last week after which it was put on hold "regrettable."
Trump's remarks suggested that progress had been made.
"Earlier today, I received an important letter from President Zelenskiy of Ukraine. The letter reads, 'Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer," Trump said.
"Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you," Trump quoted Zelenskiy as saying.
"I appreciate that he sent this letter," Trump said, adding that "Simultaneously, we've had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace.
Trump has said the agreement will help secure a peace deal by giving the United States a financial stake in Ukraine's future. He views it as America's way of earning back some of the tens of billions of dollars it has given to Ukraine in financial and military aid since Russia invaded three years ago.
