PRESIDENT Donald Trump has revealed Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky sent him a letter in a speech days after their historic spat.
The commander-in-chief, 78, revealed a potential truce between Russia and Ukraine after three years of war in his joint address to Congress on Tuesday night.
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Trump said Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky wrote him a letter begging for America’s help to end the war.
“The letter reads, ‘Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer,'” Trump said.
“‘Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you.’ I appreciate that he sent this letter. Just got it a little while ago.”
He said Russia has given him “strong signals” they are ready for the war to end after the president had “serious discussions” with the country’s leaders.
“Wouldn’t that be beautiful?” he asked.
“It’s time to stop this madness and halt the killing,” he said.
The key moments from Trump’s first Congress address…
- Petty democrats refuse to stand as Trump enters the room
- Representative Al Green is thrown out just minutes into the address
- Republicans give suited Elon Musk a standing ovation as Trump applauds his DOGE efforts
- Trump slams ‘total mess’ that he inherited from Biden
- Democrats hold signs protesting the Trump administration and walk out during his address
- Trump reveals a surprise letter he received from Zelensky and insists Russia has given him ‘strong signals’ they are ready for peace
The update comes just days after a meeting between Trump and Zelensky spiraled into chaos in front of the world on February 28.
Trump publicly scolded Zelensky and warned he’s gambling with World War 3 as reporters from around the world watched the historic spat before the Ukrainian president was walked out of the White House.
In the argument’s fallout, Trump made a U-turn and paused US aid to Ukraine, meaning the country was left without their supply of billions of dollars’ worth of battle tanks, missiles, and air defense systems.
FIERY SPEECH
On Tuesday night, Trump kicked off his highly anticipated speech in the House chambers with triumphant remarks, prompting Republicans to celebrate loudly while Democrats resorted to multiple methods of protesting.
The president arrived 15 minutes late to the event but was greeted with chants of “USA” from the excited crowd of lawmakers and special guests – while some Democrats stayed seated.
The House chambers then descended into a chaotic zoo as Democrats booed and Republicans cheered when the president kicked off his speech by proclaiming, “America is back!”
House Speaker Mike Johnson had to jump in to demand order from the crowd – but one Democrat leader stayed standing and yelling.
We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years.”
President Donald Trump
Congressman Al Green continued to cause a scene as he protested Trump, raising his cane and shouting, “He has no mandate!”
Johnson then ordered officials to escort Green out of the chamber, causing cheers and singing to break out from the Republican side.
Trump then continued his address, saying: “We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years,” before promising “we are just getting started.”
He boasted that he ended diversity initiatives and enforced only two legally recognized genders.
“Our country will be woke no longer,” he said.
He promised he was setting out to “make America affordable again.”
“You inherited a total mess from the previous administration,” he added as a dig at former President Joe Biden.
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Trump then set out to discuss his recent crackdown on immigration, the new Department of Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk.
He recognized a suited Musk, which prompted a standing ovation, marking a trend in the night as the speech was repeatedly interrupted by applause and ovations.
Just before Trump went on to speak out against electric vehicles, several House Democratic lawmakers walked out of the address.
Dems, including Representatives Melanie Stansbury and Jasmine Crockett, were seen walking out of the address wearing t-shirts saying “resist.”
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The speech comes as prices in America continue to rise in light of the trade war with China – and costs might continue to skyrocket due to Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports.
The steep tariffs on America’s three largest trading partners went into effect at 12:01 am on Tuesday, sparking swift retaliation tariffs from Canada and China.
Trump said during his address that tariffs will “make America rich again” after Biden took the country “the lowest we’ve ever been.”
He also proposed to make his tax cuts permanent and said he wants to eliminate taxes on tips and overtime.
Leading Dems, including New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and multiple state senators, snubbed Tuesday night’s event.
“I’m not going to the joint address,” AOC wrote on BlueSky, adding that she would post about it on the platform instead before livestreaming on Instagram later.
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy also said he wouldn’t be attending the joint address out of protest, calling it a “farce.”
“I think it’s gonna be a Maga pep rally,” Murphy told CNN.
“We have to fight every single day, every single day.”
Melania Trump’s guest list
The first lady’s guest list includes:
- Corey Comperatore’s family
- Allyson and Lauren Phillips, the mom and sister of Laken Riley
- Stephanie Diller, widow of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller
- Marc Fogel, a teacher recently freed from Russian detention
- Fogel’s mom, Malphine
- Alexis Nungaray, the mom of slain 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray
- Roberto Ortiz, an agent with Customs and Border Protection
- Payton McNabb, former high school athlete
- January Littlejohn, a parents’ rights advocate
- Steelworker Jeff Denard
- Elliston Berry, a 15-year-old victim of deepfake pornography
- Former foster child Haley Ferguson
While Democratic leaders skipped out on the speech, First Lady Melania Trump shared her 15-person guest list for the speech ahead of the event.
Melania, who was greeted with a standing ovation, was seated with the widow and daughters of Corey Comperatore, the firefighter who was killed in the attempted assassination of Trump at his rally on July 13, 2024.
The first lady also invited the mother and sister of Laken Riley, a Georgia college student who was murdered by an undocumented immigrant while on a run last February.
“These men, women, and families come from all different walks of life with incredible stories about the disaster wrought by the previous administration, and the historic achievements President Trump has already enacted,” the White House said.
FAMILY AFFAIR
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Trump was supported by multiple family members in the audience on Tuesday.
Donald Trump Jr. was seen in the House chambers, along with Ivanka, Tiffany, Lara, and Eric Trump.
Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was also seen wearing a red hat saying, “Trump was right about everything!”
Over 100 protestors were on site while Trump prepared to give his speech.
Protestors were seen with posters and shouting as they crowded outside the Capitol building.
Attendees also protested Trump in subtler ways as dozens of Democratic lawmakers were seen arriving in the House chamber wearing pink.
Plus, some lawmakers held up signs accusing Trump of lying as he was speaking.
DEM REBUTTAL
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, 48, gave the Democratic rebuttal to Trump’s address on Tuesday night.
Slotkin encouraged Democrats to stay hopeful about the future – but also warned about the effects of Trump’s tariffs.
“If he is not careful, he could walk us right into a recession,” the senator said.
She also said former President Ronald Reagan wouldn’t approve of Trump’s handling of the Ukraine-Russia war.
“President Trump loves to say peace through strength,” Slotkin said.
“That’s actually a line he stole from Ronald Reagan. But let me tell you, after the spectacle that just took place in the Oval Office last week, Reagan must be rolling in his grave,” she said, referring to Trump’s spat with Zelensky.
She then added, “As a Cold War kid, I’m thankful it was Reagan and not Trump in office in the 1980s.
“Trump would have lost us the Cold War.”
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