Volodymr Zelenskyy

The two countries have agreed to a deal to jointly invest in Ukraine's mineral, raw materials and natural resource wealth in exchange for future U.S. aid.

It was their first face-to-face meeting since they argued in front of cameras in the Oval Office in February — and comes as efforts intensify to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

President Trump called on Russia and Ukraine to hold high-level negotiations to end the war, saying that talks toward a deal have gone well.

Zelenskyy said that Russia must fully adhere to the ceasefire conditions and reiterated Ukraine's offer to extend the truce for 30 days, starting midnight Sunday.

As the Trump administration works toward a halt in the fighting, many experts fear that Ukraine will be forced to accept a ceasefire deal that will only give Russian forces a badly needed breather.

Lawmakers sought to dispel Kremlin talking points echoed by the president that Ukraine was responsible for the war with Russia. But they said Trump should be given room to negotiate.

The war has reached a critical point. A real peace seems unlikely, but a ceasefire is possible, most experts agree. The question is whether it can be achieved without placing Ukraine in further peril.

A barrage of Russian missiles hit Ukrainian cities Monday, killing at least 36 people and injuring more than 149, and destroying a large children’s hospital in Kyiv, the state emergency service said.