US President Donald Trump vows to end ‘senseless’ Ukraine war after letter from Volodymyr Zelensky

US President Donald Trump has vowed to “end the senseless war” in Ukraine by talking to both sides of the conflict, offering a hint of a thaw in tensions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy.

“It’s time to stop this madness. It’s time to halt the killing. It’s time to end the senseless war. You want to end wars, you have to talk to both sides,” he said in his address to the House chamber on Tuesday night.

Mr Trump said he “appreciated” a letter sent by Mr Zelensky following a shocking showdown in the Oval Office on Friday over the terms of reaching a ceasefire with the Russians. He also said he was in talks with the Russians.

Mr Trump who adopted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s talking points in the White House bust-up, accused the Ukrainian leader on Friday of “gambling with World War III.”

On Monday, Mr Trump ordered the halting of vital military aid to Kyiv.

In a statement on X ahead on Tuesday, Mr Zelensky offered an olive branch by underscoring his country’s “commitment to peace” and willingness to come to the negotiating table “as soon as possible” after accusations from the White House that he did not want a ceasefire deal.

He praised President Trump’s “strong leadership” and suggested the first stages to end the war could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky and sea, including a “ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure.”

He stressed how much Ukraine values America’s help to maintain its sovereignty and independence, pointing to a pivotal moment when Mr Trump delivered Javelin anti-tank missiles.

The Ukrainian leader did go as far as apologising for the bust-up in the White House on Friday that sent shockwaves around the world and triggered emergency leaders’ meetings in Europe.

“Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right,” he said.

“We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive,” he said, adding that Ukraine was ready to sign an agreement on minerals and security.

Mr Trump used his high profile address on Tuesday to respond to Mr Zelensky.

“I appreciate that he sent this letter … simultaneously, we’ve had serious discussions with Russia,” he said, adding that Moscow was sending “strong signals that they are ready for peace.”

“Wouldn’t that be beautiful?” said Mr Trump, without revealing the next steps in talks to end the war.