- Zelenskyy seeks to mend ties with Trump after U.S. suspends military aid to Ukraine.
- Ukraine proposes a “truce in the sky” to halt missile and drone strikes if Russia agrees.
- EU boosts defense spending as U.S. aid freeze puts pressure on European allies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr expressed his desire to “make things right” with President Donald Trump in an effort to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine, following Washington’s decision to suspend military aid to Kyiv.
Speaking on Tuesday, Zelensky called last week’s tense meeting with Trump “regrettable” and proposed a partial truce as an initial step toward ending Russia’s three-year-long war.
“Ukraine is ready to negotiate as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. No one wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to achieve a peace that lasts,” Zelensky posted on X (formerly Twitter).
EDITOR’S PICKS
- 45% of Nigerian Girls Become Mothers Before 18 — World Bank
- ECOWAS Faces Historic Defection as Three West African Nations Withdraw
- Netanyahu to Meet Trump at White House Next Week
He outlined Ukraine’s willingness to agree to a “truce in the sky”, proposing an immediate ban on missiles, long-range drones, and strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure—provided Russia reciprocates.
The statement comes just days after Trump abruptly paused U.S. military assistance to Ukraine, a move that followed a tense White House meeting between the two leaders. The disagreement was reportedly severe enough that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken privately urged Zelensky to apologise to mend relations.
Zelensky acknowledged the friction in his latest remarks, saying: “Our meeting in Washington did not go as expected. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right.”
Despite the setback, he reaffirmed Ukraine’s gratitude for past U.S. support, emphasising: “We truly value all that America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.”
Trump suggested on Monday that an agreement to open Ukraine’s mineral resources to U.S. investment—which was meant to be signed before the Oval Office fallout—could still be reached.
Vice President JD Vance reinforced this position, urging Zelensky to accept the economic deal as part of broader security assurances for Ukraine.
“If you want real security guarantees and to ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade again, the best guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in Ukraine’s future,” Vance told Fox News.
Zelensky responded that he was willing to sign an agreement “at any time and in any convenient format.”
Ukraine has relied heavily on U.S. and European military aid to resist Russia’s invasion, though analysts suggest the immediate effects of the U.S. aid freeze may not be as severe as earlier in the war.
“It’s significant, but not as devastating as it would have been earlier,” said Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, in comments to Reuters.
FURTHER READING
- [VIDEO] Commotion Rocks PDP BoT Meeting as Faction Confront Each Other
- NiDCOM Prepares for Deportation of Nigerians from U.S
- BREAKING: Sowore Pleads Not Guilty to Cybercrime Charges Filed by Police IG
Still, the pause has increased pressure on European allies, who have rallied around Zelensky since the Oval Office rift. Leaders from the UK and France visited Washington last week in a show of support, while the European Union is racing to bolster its own defence spending.
On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced new proposals to boost military funding, which could mobilise up to €800 billion ($840 billion).
The EU is set to hold an emergency summit on Thursday to finalise the c package.
