Trump hails Ukraine’s willingness to sign minerals deal ‘at any time’
The US president also said he has had ‘strong signals’ from Russia that Moscow is ready for peace.
Donald Trump has said he appreciates Volodymyr Zelensky’s letter saying Ukraine is ready to sign a minerals agreement “at any time” after the deal broke down last week.
The US president also said he has had “strong signals” from Russia that Moscow is ready for peace, adding: “Wouldn’t that be beautiful?”
The Ukrainian president had earlier said it is “time to make things right” with Mr Trump after a fractious meeting in the Oval Office last week and the US decision to suspend military aid to Kyiv.
The UK’s diplomatic push towards securing peace in Ukraine will continue as Defence Secretary John Healey heads to Washington on Wednesday.
In an address to Congress, Mr Trump quoted the Ukrainian leader’s words from a letter.
He read: “‘My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts. We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you’.”
Mr Trump added: “I appreciate that he sent this letter… We’ve had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace. Wouldn’t that be beautiful?
“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.”
Mr Healey is due to meet his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth, on Thursday.
The Defence Secretary’s trip was agreed last week after Sir Keir Starmer announced an increase in the UK’s defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, and comes just days after the US halted military aid to Kyiv.
Diplomatic efforts had continued on Tuesday, with the Prime Minister speaking once again to the Ukrainian leader.
In their call, Sir Keir pushed the idea that it is vital for “all parties” to work towards peace.
It came after a further call with the US president on Monday.
Mr Zelensky posted on X later on Tuesday to say Ukraine is “ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible” to secure peace.
Relations between the US and Ukraine appeared to be in tatters last week after a confrontation between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky at the White House.
The Ukrainian leader called for a “truce in the sky” and a “truce in the sea” if Russia agrees to the same, and described the Oval Office clash as “regrettable”.
“Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be,” he said.
“It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future co-operation and communication to be constructive.
“Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format. We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively.”
Sir Keir had hailed Mr Zelensky’s “steadfast commitment to securing peace” in a phone call on Tuesday.
A readout of the call offered by Downing Street said: “The Prime Minister updated on his discussion with President Trump last night. It was vital that all parties worked towards a lasting and secure peace for Ukraine as soon as possible, the Prime Minister added.
“Turning to President Zelensky’s most recent calls for further diplomatic efforts to achieve the swiftest possible end to the war, the Prime Minister welcomed President Zelensky’s steadfast commitment to securing peace.
“Underscoring that any peace for Ukraine needed to be lasting and secure, the Prime Minister said no-one wanted peace more than Ukraine.
“The leaders agreed to stay in close touch in the coming days.”
Ahead of his trip, Mr Healey hailed the “special relationship” between the UK and the US and said it is “crucial that the UK and Europe step up further to take more responsibility for our security, and we are doing so”.
He added: “In the face of increasing global threats, we are cementing our ties as Nato allies, bolstering our national security and economic security, too.
“The Prime Minister was clear following his meetings over the past week that we will continue our dialogue with friends and allies to secure a path to a lasting peace in Ukraine.
“We will advance that work in Washington over the coming days.”
The push for increased defence spending comes as figures showed one in 10 armed forces personnel – more than 13,500 people – are unfit to be deployed.
Figures released by the Ministry of Defence in a parliamentary answer showed just 54,695 members of the British Army – 76.9% of the total – are classed as “medically fully deployable” (MFD), with 9,478 (13.3%) classed as “medically limited deployable” (MLD) and 6,973 (9.8%) “medically not deployable” (MND).
Across the forces, 99,162 (78.1%) are fully deployable, 14,361 (11.3%) are classed as MLD and 13,503 (10.6%) are MND as of January 1.
Mr Trump also criticised European countries in his address to Congress for spending “more money buying Russian oil and gas” than on “defending Ukraine”, while thanking Mr Zelensky for his willingness to resume peace negotiations.
Mr Trump said: “I want (the war in Ukraine) to stop.
“Europe has sadly spent more money buying Russian oil and gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine, by far. Think of that.
“And we’ve spent perhaps 350 billion dollars (£273 billion), like taking candy from a baby. That’s what happened.
“And they’ve spent 100 billion dollars (£78 billion) – what a difference that is. And we have an ocean separating us.”
