In a high-stakes address to the U.S. Congress on Tuesday night, President Donald Trump revealed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had written to him, expressing his readiness to negotiate peace with Russia. This announcement came just days after a tense Oval Office meeting between the two leaders, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelenskyy of being unwilling to seek a ceasefire and not showing enough gratitude for U.S. military aid.
Zelenskyy’s Message to Trump
Trump stated that Zelenskyy’s letter signaled Ukraine’s willingness to move toward peace.
“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, reading from the letter.
The U.S. president also claimed he had received “strong signals” from Russia indicating its openness to peace.
“It’s time to stop this madness. It’s time to halt the killing. It’s time to end this senseless war,” Trump declared. However, he did not provide specifics on how he intended to broker an end to the conflict that has been ongoing since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Shortly after Trump’s speech, Zelenskyy took to social media to echo the sentiments from his letter. “I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace,” he wrote.
Despite this apparent willingness for negotiations, the recent meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy in Washington had been anything but smooth. Reports suggest that Trump and Vance repeatedly interrupted Zelenskyy, criticizing him for failing to show enough appreciation for the billions of dollars in U.S. aid sent to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s Peace Plan
In his social media post, Zelenskyy outlined the early framework of his peace proposal.
“The first stages could be the release of prisoners and a truce in the sky—a ban on missiles, long-range drones, and bombs targeting energy and other civilian infrastructure—as well as a truce in the sea immediately, if Russia does the same,” he wrote.
He also stated that Ukraine wants to move quickly through the negotiation process and work with the U.S. to secure a strong final peace agreement.
Experts suggest this approach serves as a test of Russia’s true intentions. “This proposal is specific and a great way to see if Russia is serious about a lasting settlement that allows Ukraine to exist as an independent state,” said Mikhail Alexseev, a political science professor at San Diego State University.
Where Does Europe Stand?
Before the Ukraine security summit in London on March 2, French President Emmanuel Macron hinted at a ceasefire proposal similar to Zelenskyy’s. Macron stated that the UK and France were prepared to push for a temporary halt to sea and air attacks, as well as a suspension of strikes on energy infrastructure for at least a month.
Both Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have also suggested sending European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine—an idea Russia has vehemently opposed. “Any force in Ukraine intended to preserve peace is an obstacle to Russia’s goals, and they will likely respond with severe threats,” said Keir Giles, a senior fellow at Chatham House.
While Trump and his team appear open to a U.S. peacekeeping presence in Ukraine if a deal is reached, analysts warn that if Moscow remains strongly opposed, Trump’s administration may align with Russia’s demands instead.
Trump’s Suspension of Military Aid
One day before Zelenskyy’s letter, the Trump administration abruptly paused all U.S. military assistance to Ukraine. The decision followed the heated February 28 meeting in the Oval Office, where Trump reportedly reprimanded Zelenskyy for not expressing enough gratitude for previous American support.
In an effort to shift the narrative, Zelenskyy’s social media post included multiple expressions of appreciation for the U.S. “We deeply value what America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence,” he wrote. He also referenced Trump’s past military assistance to Ukraine, calling it a “game-changer.”
Zelenskyy admitted that his White House meeting “did not go the way it was supposed to,” calling the tense encounter “regrettable.” However, he stopped short of directly addressing the U.S. aid freeze.
Rare Minerals Deal Back on Track?
Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington was also expected to include the signing of a major agreement on rare earth minerals, but it was derailed after his abrupt departure following his dispute with Trump. Now, with diplomatic relations seemingly improving, the deal may be back on the table.
The agreement would allow the U.S. to invest in Ukraine’s mineral resources, including valuable rare earth elements. Trump has strongly advocated for the deal, calling it a “necessary equalization” for the aid the U.S. has provided to Ukraine.
During his speech to Congress, Trump confirmed that Ukraine was now ready to sign the minerals deal. Zelenskyy echoed that sentiment in his social media post:
“Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign at any time, in any format. We see this as a step toward greater security and strong guarantees.”
Trump and his administration have framed the minerals deal as a de facto security measure for Ukraine, arguing that if the U.S. has economic stakes in the country, Russia would be less likely to attack, fearing direct U.S. retaliation.
Will Russia Accept This Peace Plan?
Experts remain skeptical about Russia’s willingness to engage in meaningful peace negotiations.
“Russia is in a position to sit back and wait,” said Keir Giles, explaining that Moscow is watching to see if Europe can form a unified strategy before making any major decisions.
Some analysts also believe that Zelenskyy’s proposal may not be favorable to Russia. “Russia currently has superior long-range capabilities and is striking Ukrainian infrastructure more effectively. A ceasefire on such attacks would disproportionately disadvantage them,” said Marina Miron, a defense researcher at King’s College London.
Mikhail Alexseev agreed, stating, “Russia is unlikely to accept any deal that does not significantly weaken Ukraine’s sovereignty.”
Will the U.S. Support This Plan?
The Trump administration’s stance remains uncertain. Analysts point out that Trump’s motivations—particularly his interest in the minerals deal—may shape his approach.
“Trump’s incentives are different from those of Ukraine and Europe,” Giles noted. “If the minerals deal is a priority, he may push for peace on those terms rather than focusing on Ukraine’s broader security concerns.”
Another key question is whether Trump will resume military aid to Ukraine if the minerals agreement is finalized. “For any serious peace process, the U.S. will not only need to resume aid but likely increase it,” Alexseev said.
Miron raised another possibility—Trump may seek to pressure Ukraine into holding elections before signing a long-term agreement. Trump has previously criticized Zelenskyy for postponing elections due to the war, even calling him a “dictator without elections.” If the minerals deal is signed, Washington may push for an electoral process to ensure Ukraine’s government remains aligned with U.S. interests.
What Comes Next?
As tensions remain high, all eyes are on the next steps in U.S.-Ukraine relations. Zelenskyy has now signaled a willingness to negotiate, but the real challenge lies in whether Russia will engage in meaningful talks—and whether Trump’s administration will prioritize Ukraine’s security or economic interests.
With Ukraine’s fate hanging in the balance, the coming weeks will be critical in shaping the future of the war, peace efforts, and international diplomacy.
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