Gee, I wonder how big the clue bat was for Zelensky to do an about face? This morning he posted a long statement on X, signaling that he’s all in for peace negotiations and will sign the mineral deal anytime, anywhere.

I would venture a guess that Trump pausing all military aid to Ukraine, as Toni wrote about here, was one of those clue bats. I wonder what the others were? 

That said, this is an interesting about face, and the timing of it given Trump’s military aid pause.  

“I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace,” Zelensky said on X. “None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”

“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,” Zelensky said.

Before I go further on this, keep in mind the Democrats would scream to the high heavens if any and all military aid or money is paused for Ukraine. Heck, Senator Michael Bennet would’ve been running to the Senate floor for the umpteenth time to shriek about helping Ukraine. 

I’m LIVE on the Senate floor urging continued U.S. support for Ukraine — for our national security and democracy everywhere. https://t.co/GDzXl9YXAo

— Michael Bennet (@SenatorBennet) February 20, 2025

Yet, when Biden put a pause on sending contracted military aid to Israel as agreed upon, Bennet and the rest of the Democrats zipped their lips.  

I'm going to speculate a bit here, but this feels like a guy who was given bad information, likely by Democrats.

Namely, that Trump couldn't pause aid or that Congress could ensure it keeps flowing. Now that reality has come into view, his tone has completely shifted. https://t.co/iuoxmYKrVz

— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) March 4, 2025

Agreed. As I wrote the other day, I couldn’t fathom how Zelensky would waltz into the White House after refusing to sign the mineral deal in Kyiv or Munich, and then try to litigate for MORE of everything in front of the press. Furthermore, I had found it astonishing that Zelensky couldn’t see the forest for the trees. In that, having American companies in Ukraine building up infrastructure to mine for rare earth minerals is both economically and strategically valuable to Ukraine as a whole. Especially given that Putin, as rabid as he is, wouldn’t dare go up against American civilians. He’s at least smart enough for that. 

Yet Zelensky came in on Friday and showed his ass. It certainly took him awhile to realize that he screwed the pooch, likely with the dubious assistance and advice from the Democrats.

But this morning, he got a clue and did an about face. 

“Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format. We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively,” he added.

Zelensky also reiterated his gratefulness for Trump’s support.

Zelensky also proposed the first steps in a peace deal with Russia, saying, “We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky — ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure — and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same.”

Now it’s up to the President and his Administration to determine if this is truly a strong good-faith commitment to peace negotiations. 

Remember, Zelensky refused to come to the negotiating table multiple times. And the media along with Democrats were clutching all the pearls when negotiators sat down with Russia. None of them stopped to think that this was a mediation-style effort with each side sitting in separate rooms as it were and the mediators going back and forth. 

I do have to wonder if one of the other clue bats was the realization that Europe can pony up the money, but the military support they have is…minimal. And when Italy’s Prime Minister says NOPE to sending troops to Ukraine…

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she had rejected an offer from Paris and London to send Italian troops to Ukraine as part of a European force:

“In my opinion, this is a very difficult thing to implement, I am not sure about its effectiveness, that is why we said that we will not send Italian soldiers to Ukraine. “

I would say that is one of the drivers behind Zelensky’s about face.

BREAKING: Zelenskyy just realized European leaders can tweet but they don't act and is now begging to fix the relationship he detonated with the US pic.twitter.com/3PMy57hLjX

— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) March 4, 2025

Of course, Europe is all in on trying to help Zelensky and keep that gravy train flowing with no end in sight and no perceived end to the war. But now, here’s Zelensky signaling he’s gotten a clue. Does that mean he’ll quit listening to the likes of Senator Chris Murphy?

He has obviously learned a valuable lesson: never, ever take advice from @ChrisMurphyCT unless you need a clown to make balloon animals at a child’s birthday party. https://t.co/yP9DQiwENv

— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) March 4, 2025

It only took four days for the lesson to hit. The question is, was the lesson LEARNED and how soon with A. the mineral deal get signed, and B. peace negotiations commence?

Feature Photo Credit: Zelensky in 2022 BBC interview via Ukraine office Flickr, public domain, cropped and modified