Donald Trump makes major U-turn as he reads out 'important' letter from President Zelenskyy in first speech since second term

In his presidential address yesterday, Donald Trump shocked listeners by responding to a new letter written to him by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The two world leaders butted heads during a fiery address on Friday (29 Feb), after which the US leader and his Vice President, JD Vance, were slammed by millions of viewers for their controversial treatment of the Ukrainian.

Trump shocked Oval Office attendees by warning Zelenskyy he was 'gambling with WW3', and Vance branded the 47-year-old 'disrespectful' for not 'thanking' them for inviting him for peace talks.

In the days that followed their catastrophic meeting, as Zelenskyy travelled to the UK for a summit with European leaders hosted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, 78-year-old Trump yesterday (4 March) paused all aid to Ukraine.

A White House official told Fox News of the shocking move: "President Trump has been clear that he is focused on peace.

"We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution."

In the hours that followed Trump's ruling, the Ukrainian leader issued a lengthy statement online.

As well as admitting their White House meet-up was 'regrettable', Zelenskyy insisted that his country are willing to 'sign it [a peace agreement] in any time and in any convenient format'.

In response to his European counterpart's reflective message, Trump also seemed to soften on the situation while making a speech in Congress yesterday, reading out the 'important letter' that Zelenskyy had written.

Quoting the note, the American claimed he'd been told that 'Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer'.

The note went on to reiterate 'Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians'.

Trump also read Zelenskyy's words, saying: "My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts. We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence."

Seemingly also putting Friday's blunder behind him, Trump went on to tell Congress attendees he'd been in 'serious discussions with Russia', and had 'received strong signals that they are ready for peace'.

Of the notion, the Republican went on to ask: "Wouldn’t that be beautiful?. It’s time to stop this madness.

"It’s time to halt the killing. It’s time to end this senseless war. If you want to end wars you have to talk to both sides."

Zelenskyy's full social media statement read as follows: "I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace.

"None of us wants an endless war. 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."

It continued: "We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky — ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure — and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same.

"Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal."

As Trump read, the Ukrainian went on: "We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.

"And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this."

I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace.

None of us wants an endless war. 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…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 4, 2025

Looking back, Zelenskyy added: "Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way.

"It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive."

And as we say, he concluded his official statement by reiterating: "Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format.

"We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively."