Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, expressing his willingness to “make things right” and work under Trump’s “strong leadership” to secure lasting peace in Ukraine.
Zelensky’s comments came after the US suspended military aid to Ukraine overnight.
In a message on X, he urged a truce in the sea and sky as an initial step to ending the ongoing conflict.
“Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts,” Zelensky stated.
He emphasised that his team was prepared to collaborate with Trump’s leadership to achieve lasting peace.
Zelensky proposed a “truce in the sky” by halting missile, drone, and bomb attacks on civilian infrastructure, as well as a “truce in the sea,” if Russia agreed to similar terms.
The appeal follows a tense exchange between Zelensky, Trump, and US Vice President JD Vance at the White House on Friday, which escalated weeks of growing tensions.
Trump had labelled Zelensky a dictator, while Zelensky accused the Republican of falling for Russian disinformation.
“Our meeting in Washington did not go as planned. It is regrettable, but it’s time to make things right,” Zelensky wrote, adding that future communication should be constructive.
He also offered the US preferential access to Ukraine’s natural resources and minerals, which was previously intended to be signed in Washington before the public dispute.
