Zelensky has experienced a tough awakening — Johnson

The leader of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, has radically changed his attitude towards the US-Ukrainian mining deal, the signing of which broke down after a skirmish at the White House with US President Donald Trump. This was stated on a radio show on WABC 770 AM by Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, according to The Hill.

"I am very grateful and glad that Zelensky has made a U-turn over the past few days. He actually apologized for the whole thing. And he said, "Oh no, no, at the end of the day, we would like this deal." I think he had a tough awakening," Johnson said.

"We have to bring him back to the negotiating table," Johnson added.

Johnson also reiterated that if Zelensky cannot fulfill the "deal for this country," then Ukraine needs to "send a leader who can."

The mining deal, which, according to President Trump, will allow Washington to return part of the assistance it has provided to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's special operation three years ago, was supposed to be signed by Zelensky during his visit to the White House on February 28.

Shortly after the altercation in the White House, Zelensky said he would not apologize. A few days later, he expressed regret over the incident on his social networks. He also wrote that he was ready to sign a deal on mining, because it would be "a step towards greater security and firm security guarantees."