Ukraine could start truce immediately, Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday said Ukraine was ready for negotiations and floated ideas for a multi-step peace plan for the three-year war. Ukraine could release Russian prisoners of war and immediately begin a truce on sky and sea warfare if Russia would do the same, he said.

Is the U.S.-Ukraine mineral deal back on? Zelenskyy on Tuesday expressed willingness to sign the deal at any time and in any format, seeing it as a step towards the security guarantees he has sought. President Donald Trump did not immediately respond on Tuesday to Zelenskyy’s post, but he was expected to mention the deal that evening during his address to Congress.

What about U.S. aid for Ukraine? A White House official anonymously told the Associated Press late Monday that military aid to the country will be halted until President Donald Trump determines that Ukraine is committed to peace negotiations with Russia. Since Trump has not announced new assistance to Ukraine during his term, the pause will likely stop the flow of billions of dollars in aid committed by the Biden administration, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Trump earlier on Monday slammed Zelenskyy for saying the end of the war is very far away. Trump said Ukraine would not seek peace while it had America’s backing, reiterating statements he made during an explosive livestreamed meeting with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office last week.