Donald Trump Vows to End ‘Savage Conflict’ in Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday declared "America is back" as he laid out his priorities for the coming months, restating his resolve to end Russia's war in Ukraine and impose more tariffs on foreign imports.

Speaking to a joint session of Congress for the first time in his second term, Trump said, "The American dream is surging, bigger and better than ever before. The American dream is unstoppable."

A day after a White House official confirmed that the United States has suspended the delivery of all military aid to Ukraine, Trump said he is "working tirelessly to end the savage conflict."

Trump has been stepping up pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make concessions and agree to a cease-fire with Russia.

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"I received an important letter from President Zelensky of Ukraine. 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 said in an address to Congress.

"He said, '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," Trump added.

Zelensky earlier Tuesday said he wanted to "make things right" with Trump after their jaw-dropping clash Friday.

Trump also addressed the issue of rising inflation in America and said he is "fighting every day" to lower prices for consumers despite the onset of the trade war. He promised to tariff other countries as much as they tariff the US.

Trump's contentious meeting with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office last week showed the 78-year-old Republican president's confidence in Russian President Vladimir Putin and the prospects of reaching a peace deal with him.

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The meeting unraveled in front of the media after Zelenskyy expressed doubts about trusting Putin, pointing to the Russian president's history of broken diplomatic promises, and argued that any peace deal must include U.S.-backed security guarantees.

On the economic front, Trump said securing "dramatic and immediate relief" for working families is among his top priorities.

As part of efforts to achieve that goal, he pledged to develop domestic production of energy and natural resources, including rare earths and other critical minerals.

"My administration is also working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in Alaska, among the largest in the world, where Japan, South Korea, and other nations want to be our partner, with trillions of dollars being spent by them," he said. "It will truly be spectacular."

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