Kyiv: The Ukrainian parliament, in an address to US President Donald Trump, welcomed his peace initiatives to resolve the Ukraine conflict, expressing faith that Trump will have a decisive influence on ending the hostilities.
“The Ukrainian people desire peace more than anyone else in the world and believe that the personal role of President Donald Trump and his peacekeeping efforts will be decisive in the swift cessation of hostilities and the achievement of peace for Ukraine, Europe, and the entire world. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine welcomes President Donald Trump’s initiatives to launch a negotiation process aimed at securing peace,” the parliament said in the address on Monday.
Ukraine’s security and development are ensured by support from the United States, the parliament noted, emphasising the need to further develop the strategic partnership with Washington, especially in the exploration of critical minerals.
On Friday, talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Trump in Washington collapsed following their verbal altercation in front of reporters in the Oval Office. The Ukrainian leader was criticised for his purported lack of gratitude for US help and disrespectful behaviour in the White House.
Zelenskyy was asked to leave, despite the Ukrainian delegation’s reportedly begging the hosts to resume the meeting, which was supposed to culminate in the signing of an agreement on rare earth metals and a joint press conference. Trump called off the signing of the deal with Zelenskyy, already approved by the Ukrainian government, and said the Ukrainian leader was not welcome back at the White House until he was “ready for peace.”
