The context of this about-face from Zelensky is of course the contentious Oval Office meeting between Zelensky, President Trump, and Vice President JD Vance last week. There is no doubt that Zelensky was at fault for the way that meeting devolved. Whoever is advising Zelensky should have told him this simple piece of advice: if you are a country in a dire situation with no path to peace without American support, do not come into the Oval Office and argue with the President and Vice President of the United States in public.
Moreover, Zelensky initially torpedoed a mineral rights deal that effectively amounted to a security guarantee for Ukraine. If our economic interests are tied to Ukraine, then there is more of an incentive for us to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty. It’s that simple.
I held a virtual town hall with constituents in Texas this week and was asked for my full analysis on the meeting, which you can watch in the video above. Ultimately, I am pleased to see that Zelensky at least recognizes that he needs President Trump’s support if he wants what is best for his country. Now it’s time for him to come back to the table and sign the good deal America has laid out for Ukraine.
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