The U.S. president appears to soften his stance following a tense exchange with Ukraine’s leader but reiterates his intent to assert control over Greenland.
Donald Trump acknowledged Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s willingness to negotiate a minerals deal with the United States and engage in peace talks to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
“Earlier today, I received an important letter from President Zelenskyy of Ukraine,” Trump announced in a speech to Congress, referencing last week’s contentious White House meeting. Quoting from the letter, he stated that Zelenskyy had expressed Ukraine’s readiness to negotiate as soon as possible to secure a lasting peace. “Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians,” he added.
“My team and I are prepared to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to achieve a peace that endures,” Trump read from Zelenskyy’s letter. “We truly appreciate all that America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.”
Trump further claimed to be engaged in "serious discussions with Russia" and suggested that he had "received strong signals that they are ready for peace."
“Wouldn’t that be beautiful?” he asked. “It’s time to stop this madness. It’s time to halt the killing. It’s time to end this senseless war. If you want to end wars, you have to talk to both sides.”
His remarks signaled a slight shift in tone regarding Ukraine, following the Oval Office dispute that led him to suspend all U.S. military aid to the country. While he was expected to outline further plans for Ukraine and Russia in his address to Congress, no additional details were provided.
In the same speech, Trump declared that he would take control of Greenland “one way or another,” stating that the U.S. was prepared to welcome the Danish territory’s inhabitants, escalating his rhetoric regarding territorial expansion.
Defending his foreign policy moves, Trump highlighted the imposition of new tariffs against Mexico and Canada, despite Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling them a "very dumb thing to do."
Trump also asserted that the U.S. would be “reclaiming” the Panama Canal, claiming that efforts were already underway.
He justified the need for U.S. control over Greenland, describing it as essential for both national and international security. “I think we’re going to get it—one way or the other, we’re going to get it,” he declared.
Addressing Greenland’s residents directly, Trump stated, “We strongly support your right to determine your own future. And if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America.”
“We will keep you safe,” he promised. “We will make you rich.”
On the Panama Canal, Trump expressed approval of a deal in which a China-based company sold two ports near the canal to U.S.-owned BlackRock. He had previously warned that Chinese influence over the canal posed a threat and reiterated that it was “built by Americans for Americans, not for others. But others could use it.”
“We didn’t give it to China; we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,” he asserted.
He also took a jab at his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who recently visited Panama as part of a Latin American tour focused on migration and U.S. interests in the canal.
“We have Marco Rubio in charge,” Trump said with a smirk. “Good luck, Marco. Now we know who to blame if anything goes wrong.”
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