KYIV/WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he has received a letter from his Ukrainian counterpart saying that Kyiv is ready to enter peace negotiations without delay.

The "important letter" from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was received earlier in the day, Trump said when addressing a joint session of Congress, quoting the letter in part as saying: "Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer".

"Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you," Trump said Zelensky wrote.

Expressing appreciation for the letter, Trump added that "simultaneously, we've had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace".

Earlier in the day, Zelensky said his country stands ready to enter peace negotiations without delay.

"Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians," he said on social media platform X.

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Zelensky said that he and his team are ready to work under the leadership of US President Trump to achieve peace.

Trump and Zelensky had a heated exchange at the White House on Feb 28, leading to the cancellation of an anticipated bilateral minerals agreement.

Speaking about the meeting, Zelensky admitted it "did not go the way it was supposed to be".

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"It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive," Zelensky said.

As the initial steps of the peace process, Zelensky proposed the release of prisoners, a ban on using missiles, long-range drones and bombs against energy facilities and other civilian infrastructure, and a truce in the sea.