Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday issued a public statement expressing gratitude for the American contribution to their defense and expressing a desire to mend fences with President Donald Trump after a dustup at a Friday meeting derailed a planned mineral deal.

"We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this," he said. "Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. 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."

He further expressed Ukraine's willingness to sign the mineral agreement "any time and in any convenient format."

Zelensky's statement follows the United States on Monday evening pausing all military aid to Ukraine. Trump, after the Friday meeting asked Zelensky to return when he was "ready for peace."