In a significant development on Tuesday night, President Donald Trump addressed the United States Congress, revealing that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had expressed a willingness to begin peace negotiations with Russia to end the ongoing war. In his social media post, Zelenskyy reiterated this message and outlined his new peace plan, signaling a shift in Ukraine’s approach following recent tensions between the two leaders.
Zelenskyy’s peace proposal includes immediate steps such as the release of prisoners, a truce in the sky (including a ban on missiles, drones, and attacks on civilian infrastructure), and a truce at sea, contingent on Russia’s agreement. He also expressed Ukraine’s eagerness to quickly move towards a final peace deal with US support.
The peace initiative follows a public spat between Trump and Zelenskyy, where Trump, along with Vice President JD Vance, accused the Ukrainian leader of being a warmonger and ungrateful for US assistance in the conflict. Trump had earlier announced a pause on military aid to Ukraine due to these tensions.
Despite the disagreements, Zelenskyy has continued to express gratitude towards the US for its support, especially during the early stages of the war when Trump provided Ukraine with essential military assistance. Zelenskyy has also made it clear that he is committed to securing a peace deal with Russia and is open to working with the US to make that happen.
In addition to the peace talks, Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine is ready to sign a rare earth minerals deal with the US, which would allow Washington to invest in Ukraine’s mineral resources. Trump has shown support for this agreement, seeing it as a way to strengthen security guarantees for Ukraine, ensuring that Russia will understand the serious economic stakes involved in the conflict.
While Zelenskyy’s peace proposal has gained attention, the stance of Russia and the US remains uncertain. Experts suggest that Russia may not be willing to accept the terms of the deal, as it would disadvantage them militarily, especially regarding a halt on attacks on critical infrastructure. The US, meanwhile, is still determining its position, particularly on whether to resume military aid to Ukraine.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Zelenskyy’s peace proposal will gain traction or whether it will be blocked by Russia’s reluctance or US strategic priorities.
