Tue Mar 04 18:22:07 UTC 2025: ## Zelensky Seeks to Repair Ties with Trump Amidst US Aid Freeze

**Kyiv, Ukraine** – Following a highly publicized disagreement with US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly expressed his desire to mend fences and collaborate with the American leader to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine. In a statement posted on X, Zelensky acknowledged that Friday’s White House meeting “did not go the way it was supposed to be” and stated his intention to work constructively with the Trump administration.

This comes after Trump halted US military aid to Ukraine, a move the Kremlin lauded as beneficial to peace negotiations. Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, suggested the aid freeze could pressure Kyiv into peace talks. However, analysts warn that disrupting the flow of US arms would significantly weaken Ukraine’s ability to resist the Russian invasion.

Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s readiness for immediate negotiations, prioritizing a ceasefire, prisoner release, and a ban on missile strikes targeting civilian infrastructure. He proposed a phased approach to peace, starting with these immediate measures and progressing to a comprehensive final agreement with the US. He specifically highlighted the importance of US support in maintaining Ukraine’s sovereignty, expressing gratitude for past aid, notably the provision of Javelins.

Zelensky further offered to sign a deal granting the US preferential access to Ukraine’s natural resources, a deal that was initially planned for last week’s Washington visit but was postponed following the public dispute with President Trump. The ongoing situation raises concerns, especially with US-Russia talks on ending the war proceeding without significant Ukrainian involvement, leaving Kyiv and Europe feeling sidelined.

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