Trump says Zelenskyy willing to negotiate, Russia 'ready for peace'

U.S. and Ukraine presidents now say ready to sign minerals deal

U.S. President Donald Trump, center, gestures to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as U.S. Vice President JD Vance reacts at the White House on Feb. 28. © Reuters

March 5, 2025 15:24 JST

WASHINGTON/KYIV (Reuters) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which the Ukrainian leader expressed willingness to come to the negotiating table over the Russia-Ukraine war.

"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," Trump said in an address to Congress on Tuesday while quoting from the letter.