Russia releases statement after Donald Trump read out letter sent to him by Zelenskyy

A Kremlin representative has spoken on Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s apparent willingness to negotiate with Russia after Donald Trump read out a letter from the Ukrainian President in Congress.

Last week (February 28), US President Trump and Vice President JD Vance met with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office to discuss Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia among other things.

The conversation escalated, with the Republican leader claiming the country did not ‘have the cards’ to rally against Vladimir Putin’s forces, and that Zelenskyy was ‘gambling with World War III’.

“You're gambling with the lives of millions of people", Trump said. "You're gambling with World War Three, and what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that's backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have."

Trump also promised to pause all military aid to Ukraine—a move Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said was the ‘best contribution to the cause of peace’.

Following Zelenskyy’s early exit from the White House and the cancellation of his and Trump’s joint press conference, the politician issued a letter to the 47th President of the United States.

This note was read out to Congress in Washington yesterday (March 4) and stated: “Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible.

“My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.

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

President Donald Trump claims peace talks with Russia have previously taken place (Andrew Harnik/Getty Image)

Trump went on to read that Ukraine is also ‘ready’ to sign the agreement on rare earth minerals at ‘any’ time convenient to the US - an agreement they were supposed to sign during Zelenskyy's visit, before getting into a heated discussion.

“It's time to end this senseless war. If you want to end wars, you have to talk to both sides,” The Apprentice star remarked.

He also claimed there had already been ‘serious discussions’ about peace with Russia, but it is not known when these conversations took place.

Now, it appears Moscow is looking favourably on the Ukraine leader’s willingness to ‘come to the negotiating table’.

"We are positive. The question is with whom to sit at the negotiating table,” Peskov said.

He noted that it was not currently clear how these talks would take place, due to a 2022 decree declaring that Ukraine would not negotiate with Russian leader Putin.

“For now, the legal ban by the Ukrainian President holding talks with the Russian side is in force.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has issued a statement following the Ukranian’s letter (Sefa Karacan/Anadolu via Getty Images)

"Overall, the approach is positive, but the details have not changed yet."

Sky News reports that a Russian drone attack was launched last night (4 March) on the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, killing a 77-year-old woman and injuring three others.

Regional governor Oleh Kiper said the woman died of shrapnel wounds on the outskirts of the city, and that the drones had damaged private homes and started fires.

In retaliation, Ukraine’s air force has stated it shot down 115 of the 181 drones fired in the overnight attack.