Trump: "Zelensky Sent Letter Saying Ready to Sign Mineral Agreement"

"Received Strong Signals from Russia Indicating Readiness for Peace"

U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that he received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stating that Ukraine is ready to sign a mineral development agreement between the United States and Ukraine.

AP Yonhap News

On the afternoon of the 4th (local time), during a joint session of the U.S. Congress in Washington D.C., President Trump said, "Today, I received an important letter from President Zelensky."

This came four days after the White House meeting between the two leaders on the 28th of last month ended in a breakdown following a heated exchange, and the previously announced signing of the mineral agreement between the two countries was also canceled.

The agreement centers on the United States securing development rights for strategic minerals such as rare earth elements buried in Ukraine as compensation for its ongoing war support. President Trump has regarded this as an essential condition for the peace negotiations he is leading to end the Ukraine war.

President Trump introduced that in the letter, President Zelensky wrote, "Ukraine is ready to sit at the negotiating table as soon as possible to achieve sustainable peace. No one desires peace more than Ukrainians."

Additionally, President Trump said that President Zelensky wrote, "My team and I are ready to work under your (President Trump's) strong leadership to realize sustainable peace. We truly value the U.S. assistance that allows Ukraine to maintain its sovereignty and independence," and that "Ukraine is ready to sign the agreement on minerals and security at any time convenient for you (President Trump)."

President Trump said he "just received" the letter and expressed gratitude to President Zelensky. He added, "We have also had serious discussions with Russia and received strong signals that they are ready to achieve peace."

President Trump hinted that the peace negotiations could proceed smoothly, saying, "Isn't that really great?"