Staff Reports
The saga of Volodymyr Zelensky continues to unfold like a poorly scripted political drama, with the Ukrainian president now posturing to sign a minerals deal that the Biden administration has seemingly pulled off the table. Shortly after his well-coiffed meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Zelensky appeared on the BBC, proclaiming his readiness to ink a deal that was supposedly already on the verge of signature in Washington, D.C. before the talks took a left turn somewhere near a buffet table in the Oval Office.
In a remarkable display of optimism—or perhaps denial—Zelensky emphasized his commitment to the minerals agreement during the BBC interview, suggesting he remains steadfast in his belief that talks can still yield fruit. While it is abundantly clear that the U.S. has cooled on the idea, Zelensky still insists there’s a deal waiting with a signature just itching to happen, as if it’s just a formality to be handled over a cup of tea and some biscuits.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says that security for Ukraine after a potential ceasefire deal with Russia would be provided by the European Union, "not NATO."
He says the economic and ceasefire deal that President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had before… pic.twitter.com/uoLYjjWMn4
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) March 2, 2025
Watching this unfold raises eyebrows—did anyone in the Biden administration clue Zelensky in on the “no-way-Jose” stance regarding this deal? In what must be a classic case of crossed wires in international diplomacy, Zelensky appeared undeterred, stating that Ukraine could easily sign the agreement if the other parties were ready. This optimism starkly contrasts the sentiments coming from American leadership levels, with figures like President Trump firmly putting the brakes on any talk of deals as long as Ukraine insists on escalation rather than seeking a peaceful resolution.
It becomes increasingly clear that while Zelensky is presenting a cheerful face to the cameras, the reality of the situation is far less rosy. His attempts to reframe the narrative—claiming that Ukraine is open to constructive relationships—might be falling on deaf ears within the Beltway. The idea that America would jump at the chance to sign deals while tensions rise in Eastern Europe might be more wishful thinking than informed policy. This is politics, not a fairy tale, and fairytale endings are increasingly hard to find in these negotiations.
As the situation develops, one can only wonder if Zelensky hasn’t grasped that the more he talks about deals being “ready,” the less credible he becomes in the eyes of the global powers. His previous confrontational tone in D.C. seemed to find little favor, perhaps indicating that a strategic rethink is in order. The US does not seem inclined to indulge his enthusiasm for agreements while his country remains committed to military actions rather than diplomatic solutions—a scenario that might leave Zelensky talking to himself in a very empty room.
While Zelensky keeps his diplomatic chin up, the political winds in Washington have shifted sharply, leaving him clutching at agreements that seem increasingly elusive. As the American public grows weary of foreign entanglements, one must ponder: will this be another chapter in Ukraine’s ongoing story, or will it be the climax where reality finally bites back? Time will tell, and for now, the minerals deal appears to be just another hot potato in the geopolitical game of back and forth.
