NNA - US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky has told him Kyiv was ready for talks with Russia and the finalization of a US minerals deal, days after the pair's explosive White House meeting.

The dramatic collapse of Kyiv and Washington's wartime alliance has played out in the open since the televised dispute in the Oval Office last week, followed by Ukraine's top ally suspending crucial military aid.

Zelensky has since sought to bring Trump back onside, posting on social media that their clash was "regrettable" and he wanted "to make things right".

In his address to US Congress later on Tuesday, Trump read aloud from a letter he said he recently received from Zelensky, which matched the social media statement.

"The letter reads, 'Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians," Trump told US lawmakers in his first address since returning to office.

"We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.'" 

Addressing Congress, Trump added that, "regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you."

In the Oval Office on Friday, Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for US assistance and Trump berated the wartime leader as not having "cards" to play.

Zelensky left without signing an agreement pushed by Trump for the United States to secure control over Ukrainian mineral resources.

While Trump was expected to use Tuesday's speech to lay out a plan for the Ukraine war, he did not further detail how he envisages ending the gruelling three-year conflict.

He did say he had engaged in "serious discussions with Russia".--agencies 

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