Johnson claims Zelensky had a ‘rude awakening’ on US mineral pact

House Speaker Mike Johnson has claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reversed his stance on a key minerals deal between the United States and Ukraine. During a recent radio interview, Johnson said Zelensky initially resisted signing the agreement but has now changed his mind.

“I’m really grateful and glad that Zelensky, in the last several days, has done an about-face,” Johnson said on the “Cats Roundtable” radio show. “He’s effectively apologized for all that. And he said, ‘Oh no, no, we would like that deal after all.’ I think he had a rude awakening.”

Why the deal matters

The mineral agreement was supposed to boost Ukraine’s economy. It would have allowed the U.S. to reclaim some of the money it has given since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The agreement was to be inked on February 28 during Zelensky’s visit to the White House. But the meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. representatives escalated into war of words.

The debate took a tense tone when Zelensky didn’t acknowledge Russia as a peacemaking negotiating partner. He also alleged the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, had violated previous ceasefires. The U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance demanded that Ukraine needed to show gratitude toward the military aid and money provided by the U.S.

“You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump told Zelensky. “And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country.”

Zelensky pushed back, saying that the U.S. was far from the conflict and did not fully understand its consequences. Trump responded sharply, “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem.”

From tension to negotiation

After the war of words, Zelensky first refused to apologize. However, days later, he called the meeting “regrettable” and indicated that he was prepared to sign the minerals agreement.

Johnson stated that Trump had been keen on Trump signing the agreement at the February 28 meeting. The U.S. has since held back on aid and sharing of intelligence with Ukraine. Despite these challenges, the U.S. remains hopeful that the deal will move forward.