A Kremlin spokesperson has weighed in on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s apparent openness to negotiations with Russia after U.S. President Donald Trump read a letter from Zelenskyy during a session of Congress.
On February 28, Trump and Vice President JD Vance met with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. During the conversation, the tone escalated when Trump claimed that Ukraine lacked the resources to stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces and accused Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War III.”
“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people,” Trump said. “You’re gambling with World War Three, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country, which has supported you far more than many believe we should.” Trump also stated that he would halt all U.S. military aid to Ukraine—a move that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described as “the best contribution to the cause of peace.”
After Zelenskyy’s early departure from the White House and the cancellation of their joint press conference, the Ukrainian leader sent a letter to Trump, which was read aloud in Congress on March 4. In the letter, Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine’s readiness to negotiate, saying, “Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to secure lasting peace. We truly appreciate how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.”
Trump also revealed that Zelenskyy’s letter included a commitment to sign an agreement on rare earth minerals at any time that would be convenient for the U.S. This agreement was supposed to be signed during Zelenskyy’s visit, but was delayed due to tensions between the two leaders. Trump added, “It’s time to end this senseless war. If you want to end wars, you have to talk to both sides.” He also claimed that peace talks with Russia had already occurred, though the details and timeline of these discussions remain unclear.
Moscow has responded positively to Zelenskyy’s willingness to engage in negotiations. Peskov remarked, “We are positive. The question is with whom to sit at the negotiating table.” However, he pointed out that a 2022 decree by the Ukrainian president prohibits direct talks with Putin, meaning the path forward for negotiations remains uncertain. “For now, the legal ban by the Ukrainian President on holding talks with the Russian side is still in effect,” Peskov said. “Overall, the approach is positive, but the details haven’t changed yet.”
Meanwhile, tensions on the ground in Ukraine continue to escalate. On March 4, Russian drones targeted the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, killing a 77-year-old woman and injuring three others. Regional governor Oleh Kiper confirmed that the woman died from shrapnel wounds, while the drones caused significant damage to private homes and sparked fires. In retaliation, Ukraine’s air force reported shooting down 115 of the 181 drones launched in the overnight attack.
As the war rages on, the possibility of peace talks remains uncertain, with both sides navigating a complex and tense situation. While Zelenskyy’s letter signals a potential shift toward diplomacy, the details of how such talks will unfold remain to be seen.