In his address to Congress, President Donald Trump showcased a shift in attitude towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, indicating a willingness to reopen discussions regarding Ukraine’s minerals in exchange for ongoing U.S. security aid. Despite a recent clash between the two leaders that resulted in a White House meeting being cut short, Trump expressed gratitude for a letter from Zelensky stating Ukraine’s readiness to engage in negotiations and pursue peace efforts.

The strained relationship between Trump and Zelensky dates back five years to a controversial phone call where Trump allegedly withheld military assistance to pressure Zelensky into investigating political rival Joe Biden, leading to Trump’s first impeachment. Trump’s recent interactions with Zelensky have been marked by disagreements over the handling of the conflict in Ukraine, with Trump criticizing Zelensky’s stance on ending the war and freezing U.S. military aid to Ukraine.

During his speech, Trump emphasized ongoing discussions with Russia to seek a resolution to the conflict, highlighting the importance of dialogue with all parties involved. He also exaggerated the amount of U.S. assistance provided to Ukraine, claiming hundreds of billions of dollars had been allocated, while the actual figure stands at $174 billion as per the Congressional Research Service.

In a candid moment, Trump called for an end to the violence in Ukraine, pointing out the devastating toll on both Russian and Ukrainian civilians. He challenged the audience, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, on the sustainability of the conflict and stressed the urgency of halting the bloodshed for the sake of all affected parties.