Zelensky's message: No actual letter, just social media quotes
During Trump's speech, there were mentions of a letter from Zelensky. Meanwhile, it turns out that the US President had quoted Volodymyr Zelensky's words from social media concerning Ukraine's readiness for negotiations.
Follow the latest updates after Donald Trump's speech in our live coverage.
US President Donald Trump, during his address to Congress, quoted words from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that were published on social media. Zelensky expressed readiness for negotiations, which was mistakenly interpreted as a separate letter. This information was confirmed by the press services of the Ukrainian President and the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington.
The Ukrainian Ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, explained that Trump referred to Zelensky's comment in his address, not a letter. - In a very difficult situation, we are still moving forward, developing relations and advancing our priorities. The message from our President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was read in his Address to the Nation by President Donald Trump, who said: 'I appreciate that he wrote this letter' - said Markarova.
Zelensky's spokesperson, Serhiy Nykyforov, also confirmed that Trump spoke about a social media comment. In his congressional address, Trump quoted a passage where Zelensky declared readiness to sit at the negotiation table as soon as possible to bring about lasting peace and sign a mineral agreement with the USA.
Zelensky's reaction to halting aid
On platform X, in the context of the suspension of military aid to Ukraine by the USA, Zelensky informed that "Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer."
He also added: "My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts." He expressed readiness to sign an agreement with the USA on minerals at any time and in any convenient format.
Trump's congressional address took place at a time when the USA was engaged in serious talks with Russia, and the US President emphasized that he received strong signals of Russia's readiness for peace.
- I received an important letter from President Zelensky of Ukraine. The letter reads, 'Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer' - added Trump.
