'I stand ready': Zelenskyy vows to work with Trump for peace

Ukraine leader says he wants deal and praises 'strong' US president. Statement issued 24 hours after Washington suspended military aid

- Luke Harding Kyiv Andrew Roth Washington Jon Henley Paris

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a possible peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, saying he is willing to work constructively under Donald Trump's "strong leadership" and sign a deal giving the US access to his country's mineral wealth.

In an attempt to mend fences with Washington after Trump abruptly suspended supplies of military aid, Ukraine's president said he was "ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible".

In the post on X, he said he "would like to reiterate Ukraine's commitment to peace".

In an extraordinary turnaround late yesterday, the critical minerals deal the White House had indicated was a precursor to peace talks edged closer to being signed, Reuters reported, underlining the chaotic nature of the relationship between Kyiv and Washington under Donald Trump.

Alarmed European leaders reaffirmed their backing for Kyiv yesterday as it emerged that Ukraine's Nato allies had not been told in advance of the US aid pause.

A spokesperson for the Polish foreign ministry said Trump's announcement "was made without any information or consultation, neither with Nato allies nor with the Ramstein group which is involved in supporting Ukraine".

Meanwhile, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, unveiled plans to increase defence spending in the bloc, which she said could raise up to €800bn (£660bn).

"This is a moment for Europe, and we are ready to step up," she said.

In his comments, Zelenskyy said: "My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership to get a peace that lasts." Sketching out a plan to end the war, he said "first stages" could include a release of prisoners and a ban on missiles and long-range drones used to attack energy and civilian infrastructure. This "truce in the air" might be applied to the sea as well "if Russia will do the same".