Amid growing fears over Ukraine’s future, Zelensky expresses regret over public spat with Trump and offers to negotiate under his “strong leadership” for a lasting peace.
March 5, 2025: Kyiv/Washington:
Just days after a dramatic public confrontation with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has extended an olive branch, stating that it is “time to make things right” and expressing his willingness to work under Trump’s leadership to secure peace for Ukraine.
Zelensky Calls for Constructive Cooperation
In his first public statement since Trump halted US military aid to Ukraine, Zelensky took to X (formerly Twitter) to acknowledge that their meeting in Washington “did not go as planned.”
“It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We want our future cooperation and communication to be constructive,” Zelensky wrote.
The aid suspension comes as a massive blow to Ukraine’s defenses, with concerns that any disruption in the supply of US weapons could severely weaken Kyiv’s ability to push back Russian forces.
Russia Welcomes US Aid Halt, Calls It a Step Towards Peace
The Kremlin welcomed the decision to freeze US aid, calling it the “best contribution to peace.” Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the pause in military assistance could finally “push Kyiv towards a peace process.”
Ukraine Open to Peace Talks, But Fears US-Russia Negotiations
Zelensky, while reaffirming Ukraine’s commitment to peace, expressed concerns over recent US-Russia negotiations that excluded Ukraine and European allies.
“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. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts,” he added.
Zelensky outlined key proposals for the initial stages of de-escalation, including:
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- Prisoner exchanges
- A truce in the sky – banning missile strikes, long-range drone attacks, and bombings of civilian infrastructure
- A truce at sea, provided Russia reciprocates
- Fast-tracked negotiations for a comprehensive peace agreement
Ukraine Offers US Preferential Access to Natural Resources
Zelensky also reaffirmed Ukraine’s appreciation for America’s past support, recalling Trump’s decision to provide Javelin missiles that marked a turning point in US-Ukraine relations.
Additionally, he offered to sign a deal granting the US preferential access to Ukraine’s natural resources and minerals, stating:
“We are ready to sign this deal at any time and in any convenient format.”
The agreement was initially set to be formalized in Washington last week but was derailed following Zelensky’s heated exchange with Trump at the White House.
Ukraine’s Future at Crossroads
With the US and Russia holding direct talks, sidelining both Kyiv and its European allies, concerns have mounted over what a Trump-brokered peace deal might entail for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
As Zelensky navigates this diplomatic tightrope, Ukraine’s immediate future hinges on whether Trump resumes military aid or pushes Kyiv towards a negotiated settlement with Moscow.
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Ukraine war, US military aid, Trump-Zelensky dispute, Russia-Ukraine negotiations, Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump, US foreign policy, Kremlin response, Ukraine peace talks, NATO, geopolitical tensions, Ukraine sovereignty