Donald Trump expressed his appreciation for Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s readiness to engage in a minerals agreement with the United States and to participate in negotiations aimed at achieving lasting peace in Ukraine.
“Earlier today, I received a significant letter from President Zelenskyy of Ukraine,” the US president noted in a Congressional address following last week’s troubled meeting at the White House. Quoting from the letter, Trump mentioned that Zelenskyy conveyed, “Ukraine is prepared to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to move closer to lasting peace. No one desires peace more than the Ukrainians.”
“My team and I are prepared to work under President Trump’s strong guidance to secure a lasting peace,” Trump quoted Zelenskyy as stating. “We truly appreciate how much America has contributed to help Ukraine preserve its sovereignty and independence.”
Trump also mentioned he had been involved in “serious discussions with Russia” and suggested he had “received strong indications that they are ready for peace.”
“Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” he remarked. “It’s time to put an end to this madness. It’s time to stop the killing. We must conclude this senseless war. To end wars, you must engage both sides.”
These remarks represented a notable softening in Trump’s rhetoric regarding Ukraine following the Oval Office confrontation, after which he initiated a halt on all US military aid to Ukraine.
While Trump was expected to elaborate on his plans for Ukraine and Russia during his Congressional speech, he did not share any additional details.
In the same address, Trump asserted he would take control of Greenland “one way or another” and mentioned that the US was prepared to welcome the residents of the Danish territory, escalating the rhetoric related to his territorial ambitions in the western hemisphere.
He defended recent foreign policy actions, including the implementation of new tariffs against Mexico and Canada, which Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau referred to as a “very dumb thing to do.”
Trump claimed that the US would be “reclaiming” the Panama Canal, asserting, “and we’ve already begun doing it.”
The US president emphasized that Greenland, governed by Denmark, was essential for “national security and even international security,” adding, “I believe we’re going to acquire it – one way or another, it’s going to be ours.”
“I also want to convey a message tonight to the amazing people of Greenland,” he stated during his speech, as Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson smiled behind him. “We firmly support your right to determine your own destiny. And if you decide, we eagerly welcome you into the United States of America.”
“We will ensure your safety,” he declared. “We will make you prosperous.”
Regarding the Panama Canal, he welcomed the news that a company based in China had sold two ports near the canal to American-owned BlackRock. Trump had previously asserted that these ports could allow Chinese influence over the canal, recounting that the canal was “constructed by Americans for Americans, not for others. However, others could utilize it.”
“We didn’t hand it to China; we handed it to Panama, and now we are taking it back,” he declared during the speech.
He also offered a backhanded compliment to his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who had recently traveled to Panama during a Latin American tour mainly focused on migration and efforts to regain control over the canal.
“We have Marco Rubio leading the charge,” Trump said with enjoyment. “Good luck, Marco. Now we know who to point fingers at if anything goes wrong.”
