Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Win McNamee/Getty Images/MAXIM SHIPENKOV
Topics: Donald Trump, Russia, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Callum Jones
Topics: Donald Trump, Russia, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Donald Trump has said he's received 'strong signals' from Vladimir Putin that Russia is ready for peace amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The 47th POTUS addressed Congress on Tuesday (March 4), where a ton of issues were discussed, including the ongoing war in Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the White House's Oval House last week in a heated meeting that saw Trump accuse the Ukrainian president of 'gambling with the lives of millions of people', and even went so far as to allege he's 'gambling with World War Three'.
Zelenskyy later took to Twitter thanking America for its 'support' and for the visit, later tweeting to clarify Ukraine is 'ready to work fast to end the war'.
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Well, now, Trump revealed during his Congress speech that he had also received a letter from Zelenskyy.
"The letter reads Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer," Trump said.
"Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians. Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you."
The president reflected: "I appreciate that he sent this letter. Just got it a little while ago."
Trump also went on to say he has received 'strong signals' from Putin that Russia is also ready for peace over three years on from their invasion.
"[We] have received strong signals that they are ready for peace. Wouldn't that be beautiful?" the president went on.
"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."
Trump announced that he was halting US aid for Ukraine, with White House officials saying the pause would stay in place until the president believes Zelenskyy is committed to seeking peace talks.
Zelenskyy has since issued a statement, in which he reiterated 'Ukraine’s commitment to peace', and made clear that no one wants an 'endless war'.
He penned on Twitter: "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.
"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.
"Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal."