1,715 words, 9 minutes read time.
A few days ago, Ukraine agreed to sign a traitorous agreement, giving half of the country’s mineral resources to the United States. Consequently, Trump warmly received Zelensky and prepared a public press conference and a lavish dinner for him.
However, during this public press conference, a casual conversation escalated into a massive argument between U.S. President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Ukrainian President Zelensky, astonishing global journalists. The argument was so intense that staff eventually had to clear all journalists from the room.
After the argument, Trump immediately dismissed Zelensky, canceling the signing ceremony and the White House dinner, a stark contrast to the welcoming attitude shown just over an hour earlier outside the White House.
Now, there’s a follow-up: Zelensky knelt down, just two days later, almost instantly giving in.
After the public argument with Trump, Zelensky did two things.
First, he publicly refused to apologize to Trump on a U.S. television program. Second, he left the U.S. the same day and flew to the UK.
Zelensky’s idea was simple: if one place doesn’t welcome me, there are others. Ukraine’s current situation requires foreign support; without it, the country can’t last a day. Since the U.S. doesn’t support Ukraine, he turned to the EU, believing that the EU understands the principle of mutual dependence. He first approached the UK.
The UK gave Zelensky face. Although the UK has good relations with the U.S., it is much closer to Ukraine and more concerned about the situation on the European continent.
Despite Zelensky’s public fallout with the U.S., the UK still chose to help him.
On March 1, Zelensky arrived in the UK and met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, receiving a “warm welcome.” The UK expressed continued “firm support” for Ukraine.
On the evening of March 1, the UK announced it would sign a loan agreement with Ukraine, lending Ukraine 2.26 billion pounds.
The repayment method agreed upon by both parties is to use the proceeds from frozen Russian assets to repay the loan.
This repayment method neither touches the principal of Russian assets nor requires Ukraine to repay the money; it only takes the proceeds from the frozen Russian assets.
On paper, this is the agreement, but in essence, it’s a gift—the UK is giving Ukraine 2.26 billion pounds to support the continuation of the war.
Not only did the UK give Zelensky 2.26 billion pounds, but it also showed no arrogance. After giving the money, British Prime Minister Starmer personally escorted Zelensky to his car and stood by the car to see him off, giving him full respect and face.
Meanwhile, the U.S., feeling humiliated, began to fiercely attack Zelensky.
U.S. National Security Advisor Waltz gave an interview, stating that after the intense argument, U.S. officials unanimously recommended stopping further contact with Ukraine and considering Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials as “persona non grata” in the U.S.
Waltz also publicly stated that he personally believes Zelensky’s behavior is like “an ex-girlfriend who comes to your door to argue about something that happened years ago,” “only knows to bring up old issues but doesn’t look forward.”
After the public argument between Trump and Zelensky on February 28, the EU was shaken and extremely disappointed with the U.S., claiming that the free world needs a new leader, implying that if the U.S. doesn’t replace Trump, Europe will find a new leader.
In response to this, Waltz retorted, suggesting that Ukraine should change its leader.
U.S. House Speaker Johnson expressed the same view, stating that either Zelensky returns to the negotiating table with sincerity, or someone else should do it.
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio also gave an interview, saying that the U.S. had already reached an agreement with Ukraine, and the relevant agreement could have been signed five days ago. It was Zelensky’s insistence on coming to Washington to sign that led to the current situation. As for giving half of the country’s mineral resources to the U.S., it was a way to provide Ukraine with a disguised security guarantee through economic ties with the U.S., something Zelensky must have known.
Rubio emphasized that it’s a basic diplomatic principle not to come to the U.S. to lecture the U.S. Since Zelensky chose this path, he must bear the inevitable consequences.
Finally, Rubio said that President Trump has been and remains restrained, and Zelensky can return to the White House when he’s ready.
In response to the statements from these high-ranking U.S. officials, Zelensky also responded, stating that if Ukraine can join NATO, he is willing to resign. He also stated that if the U.S. is ready, Ukraine will sign the mineral agreement, giving half of the country’s mineral resources to the U.S.
This clearly indicates that Ukraine wants direct and clear security guarantees, not a vague “economic tie-based security” by giving half of the country’s mineral resources to the U.S.
As long as the U.S. is willing to let Ukraine join NATO, Zelensky is immediately willing to give half of Ukraine’s mineral resources and resign.
In response to Zelensky’s statement, Musk directly countered.
Musk is known for his drastic measures; he directly stated that the U.S. should withdraw from NATO and the UN.
Musk’s statement wasn’t a serious suggestion for the U.S. to withdraw from NATO but a way to make Zelensky understand the relationship and difference between joining NATO and maintaining good relations with the U.S.
Why does Zelensky insist on Ukraine joining NATO without U.S. approval? Isn’t it just to freeload on the U.S. military?
The U.S. doesn’t mind protecting Ukraine, but it can’t do so for free. So-called values are worthless; Ukraine must offer enough in return for U.S. support. Half of the country’s mineral resources can only buy a conditional U.S. decision on whether to send troops, not a guarantee of U.S. military intervention, because these mineral resources aren’t worth that much. Zelensky’s insistence on joining NATO is first of all unfeasible, and even if it eventually happens, the U.S. can withdraw and form a new organization, excluding Ukraine.
Musk’s words were essentially a table-flipping negotiation.
Meanwhile, former Pentagon military advisor Colonel Douglas Macgregor suddenly claimed a direct link between Ukraine and Trump’s second assassination attempt.
The first layer of this statement implies that Zelensky plotted to assassinate Trump, and the second layer suggests that Zelensky might be physically eliminated, as this is a murder case.
While the U.S. was fiercely attacking Zelensky, Europe was strongly supporting him, calling the U.S. actions a stab in the back.
After this intense public opinion battle, Zelensky made his decision.
On the evening of March 2, Zelensky stated in the UK that he believes he can salvage his relationship with Trump and is willing to return to the White House to sign the U.S.-Ukraine mineral agreement, with only one small request: that subsequent negotiations be conducted behind closed doors, without inviting journalists for public broadcasts.
Zelensky said:
“I think it’s wrong to have such discussions completely open… It doesn’t bring us, as partners, any positive or additional benefits.”
In other words, even if we find Trump’s demands excessive, even if Zelensky finds them excessive, after sobering up, he believes they are acceptable. He also admitted that everything is his fault and is willing to apologize as long as the U.S. gives him another invitation. He is willing to return to the White House and sign all agreements, as long as the conversations and signing process are not public.
Why can’t the meeting and signing between the two presidents be public?
Because it’s inconvenient to kneel in public; the door must be closed for Zelensky to kneel.
“Just now, there were too many people outside. It was my fault. I kneel to you.”
No, it’s Little Zel. You can call me Little Zel.
Zelensky was so tough in the White House, arguing with Trump and refusing to apologize on U.S. television, but after going to the UK, he gave in in just two days. Why?
Not because of the threats from those high-ranking U.S. officials, but because the UK gave Zelensky 2.26 billion pounds.
The UK gave Zelensky face, not only essentially giving the money for free but also having the Prime Minister personally escort Zelensky to his car. But it only gave Zelensky 2.26 billion pounds.
As for other European countries, Zelensky must have been frantically calling them these days. If any country had expressed willingness to provide money or aid, Zelensky would have left the UK to sign agreements. Since he didn’t go, it must mean he didn’t get the money.
What can 2.26 billion pounds do?
In the two years of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ukraine spends nearly 300 million dollars daily on military expenses alone.
In the newly proposed 2025 budget draft, the Ukrainian government’s military expenditure is expected to reach 53.7 billion dollars, and this is just military expenditure, not including the country’s basic government expenses.
On average, Ukraine now needs to spend 150 million dollars daily to sustain the war, and this is after all possible savings.
The UK’s gift of 2.26 billion pounds is substantial and shows great sincerity, but this money is only enough for Ukraine to use for a little over ten days.
What about after these ten days?
After making countless calls, all European countries expressed support for Zelensky but couldn’t provide the amount of aid he wanted.
So, in the end, Zelensky gave in, willing to kneel and beg for the U.S.’s forgiveness, hoping the U.S. would mercifully give him another chance to sign the traitorous agreement, with the only request being to close the door when he kneels to beg for forgiveness, not to let others see, to save some face.
The Zelensky who fiercely confronted the U.S. President and Vice President in the White House was a true national president, neither accepting Russian aggression nor U.S. bullying, full of pride, willing to die defending the country’s dignity.
Unfortunately, such a president only lasted for two days, and then he knelt.
The reason for such a short survival time is that a weak country has no diplomacy.
If diplomacy is a must, then it must be done on one’s knees, and getting a chance to kneel in private is already a favor, something one must beg for. Zelensky is a living example.
