House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said in a radio interview that Ukrainian President Voldymee Zelensky had made a full “face” in the US ukraine mineral trade, which was not signed after a fierce meeting between the two delegations late last month.
“I'm so glad that Zelensky has made a face over the past few days. He effectively apologized for all of that and he said, 'Oh, no, I want that deal after all.” I think Johnson had a rude awakening when he appeared on WABC 770 AM on John Catssimatidis's radio show Cats Roundtable on Saturday.
“I think a lot of people in his country were upset with the way they handled it. Certainly we were all, but we have to bring him back to the table,” Johnson told Catsimatidis.
The mineral trade that President Trump said would allow Washington to regain some of the support he gave to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began while Russian invasion strengthened Kiev's economy three years ago, was due to be signed by Zelensky during his visit to the White House on February 28.
The agreement was not signed as Zelensky, Trump and Vice President Vance engaged in several controversial interactions over negotiation of peace deals. Zelensky argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin could not become a reliable negotiator during peace talks as he returned to an earlier ceasefire in Eastern Europe.
Trump and Vance argued that Zelensky wasn't fully grateful for the military aid the US gave to Ukraine, and that Ukrainian leaders had little leverage if negotiations continued.
“You're gambling with World War II, and what you're doing is very rude to this country,” Trump said.
Zelensky said the US has not experienced the consequences of the three-year conflict as it is far from war-torn regions, but that could differ in the future, prompting a strong response from Trump.
“You shouldn't tell us what we're trying to feel,” the commander said. “We're trying to solve the problem. Don't tell us what we're trying to feel.”
Shortly after the intense meeting, Zelensky said he would not apologize. A few days later he described it as a “disappointing” gathering. The Ukrainian leader also wrote that he is ready to sign a mineral trade, claiming it would be “a step towards greater security and a robust security guarantee.”
Johnson said in a radio interview that Trump was “excited” that Zelensky would sign the contract during the February 28 meeting.
Since then, the US has stopped sharing aid and intelligence with Ukraine and is seen as a way to bring Zelensky back to the negotiation table.
Despite the round-trip in late February, Washington remains optimistic that trade with minerals will be launched.
“Mineral trade is an important part of the president's policy. No. 1, Americans need to get some reward for the incredible financial investments we've made in this country,” Vance told reporters on Capitol Hill Tuesday.
Dealer supporters said the agreement would provide Washington with a strong debate to protect Ukraine from potential future attacks from the Kremlin. Critics of the bilateral agreement argue that it is equivalent to Washington's forced Kiev, while also watching Zelensky from a meeting between Putin and Trump.
Johnson repeated him. View If Zelensky cannot provide “trade with this country,” Ukraine will need to “send a capable leader.”
