President Zelenskyy says he is ready to sign mineral deal (video with transcript and summary)

Here's the transcript formatted for readability without timestamps:

And let's bring in retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Blaine Holt. He is also the former U.S. Deputy Military Representative to NATO and a Newsmax contributor, along with retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Tony Shaffer. He was also the national security adviser for Trump's 2020 campaign and is also the president of Project Sentinel.

You know, wow. You know, let's get to this. This is interesting what we just heard, you guys—some big news developing there from Zach, who is there in Ukraine. Your thoughts initially, Blaine, with what we were just hearing?

First, the reaction coming in. Let's get from what we just heard from Zelensky just moments ago, sending out that tweet saying that he is ready to sign the minerals deal. How significant is that?

Blaine: It's very significant. It's the tack I thought he'd take after he kind of had some time after yesterday's disaster to kind of recompose, maybe consult with his own folks. He certainly was consulting with leaders in Europe, and he's going to try to walk it back. But it's not going to be so easy.

So President Trump will probably say, well, you know, the terms have changed a little bit here. Why don't we start with your apology and then work our way up from there? And still, President Zelensky, while he says he's ready to sign that deal, has not let go of another United States position. He is saying this is a start of security guarantees, but it's not enough.

Well, we're not putting F-16 jets up on that border to create the potential for World War III. That's off the table. It's an economic security arrangement, and we're taking a massive risk pre-hostilities ending by signing such a deal. So this is the best he's going to do. But it better start with contrition. And if he can't, there's other folks in Ukraine who certainly can.

You know what's interesting is what Blaine was just hitting on—the sort of minerals deal and the security issue—that seemed to be a bit of obviously the sticking point a lot. Also, even the White House, that the whole world got to see, he seems to be separating it a little bit now, Tony.

But if this minerals deal comes through and it looks like, again, hopefully now both sides are ready to sign, the point that President Trump was making, Tony, was that that would give some security. Because if America is invested in this minerals deal, which could be very lucrative in terms of paying back America for the billions that we have given to Ukraine, we're not going to want Russia coming in and disrupting business and financial and American interests and American taxpayers’ money that could be coming in to help us.

So, I mean, when you look at all of that, Tony, don't you think that Zelensky needs to sort of say, well, there is security attached to the minerals deal, maybe not all that he wants, but some?

So let's circle back to President Trump's comments earlier this week about the EU being formed to basically harm the United States economically. That's where this is all coming from. Look at who is saying what and how right now, as we speak.

Zelensky finally caved. Why did Europe put him up to this? Zach said every European leader has closed ranks behind him because they wanted the mineral resources. They are upset that we're going to get it. That's why they told Zelensky to do what he did.

This is all about economics, and President Trump is the master. And by the way, how many security arrangements do they need? Every European nation has signed an agreement with NATO—with Ukraine.

So why now are you looking to us? We're saying we'll be there. We don't need to actually put it in writing. We're going to invest. We're going to speak with our resources.

So, Rita, this was all a canard. His advisors—Zelensky's advisors—some said not to do this. Some, I think, told him to do it. Keir Starmer was here this week prepping for this. Macron was here prepping for this. This is all about the EU trying to once again screw the United States. I'll just say it. That's what this is about.

I think Zelensky has seen that he was badly advised. To Blaine's point, I'm skeptical. I think Blaine is correct. He should do this. I still don't think he will. Gee, I'd be curious if TMZ is staking out Georgetown, seeing if he goes out and buys a suit and a tie over the weekend, just saying. Because he better show up. He better be in a suit, and he better be ready to apologize if he wants to get this thing back on track.

Wow. So you don't think he's going to do it? I just heard you say that. Is that right, Tony?

I don't. I don't think so. Blaine and I disagree on this. I just don't think he's got the courage. I hope Blaine is right and I'm wrong.

Blaine, you think he will?

Now, let's also talk about the other thing that Zach said. Zach had some bombshells there in his report, talking about Turkey, saying that they're ready to sort of play this mediator role. How do you see that on this equation, complicating things? Like what? Trying to take it away from the U.S. and trying to now say that they'll be the leadership position? Is that what Turkey's trying to do—to cause a wedge here?

I think President Trump would applaud Erdogan if he could get something done. Go ahead and try. I mean, this is back to the future.

So this takes us back to March of the start of this war three years ago. And there in Istanbul was a deal that was about to be signed when Boris Johnson came in and advised Zelensky, “Nope, we've got your back. We'll do whatever it takes. We're going to go fight the Russians with you.” And so they walked away. And now here we are again.

If Erdogan can get this done, President Trump will applaud it. There is no guarantee assured that those rare earths even exist. And so it's not really a big massive loss on our part.

What I see forming up is the potential for a massive new world order shift. Whether Zelensky signs or not, the Europeans seem to have this bent for wanting to go to war with Russia. They want to keep the war going. In their own words, they want to just double down—more weapons, more money. They're having a security conference to ratify such things, and they're looking at different ways to get it done.

The United States is not going to participate with that. In fact, President Trump realizes that with so well-endowed nuclear weaponized nations, this only leads to one destructive path, and that fighting the Russians is not nearly a good idea. If we can start to work with them and get everybody aligned around their economic interests.

But I think we're going to see a lot out of the EU to block this. And it's playing with fire because it could play with our very membership in NATO.

Yeah. And also we're playing with world security. There are so many things at stake. Tony, before I let you go, the other big thing that Zach was talking about are some of these strikes by Russia, what Russia is now doing. And one of the locations is a medical center. And also hitting the energy infrastructure.

Your thoughts about what Putin is trying to do at this moment militarily?

Russia is trying to slow down Ukraine's ability to react right now. Rita, the war is lost. I'll just be blunt.

All the Russians are doing are consolidating their gains within the four provinces and doing what they can to slow down any response.

They're trying to buy time.

Everybody, I think, wants peace. And I hope it happens very, very soon. I hope you're wrong, Tony. I love you, but I hope you're wrong.

And I hope I'm wrong.

Of note from the transcript:

I'd be curious if TMZ is staking out Georgetown, seeing if he [Zelensky] goes out and buys a suit and a tie over the weekend, just saying. Because he better show up. He better be in a suit, and he better be ready to apologize if he wants to get this thing back on track.

Barrons and the NY Post have confirmed Zelensky's change of heart.

I say 75% ownership of minerals for US now

z is not up to the job

ukr needs a new leader

What happened? The midget strike out in the UK?

Not without a formal PUBLIC apology to the President, VP AND ESPECIALLY to the American people.

Tell him to stick it.

And put on a suit you ungrateful little shit!

Zelensky finally caved. Why did Europe put him up to this?

This discussion must have occurred before the Oval Office blow-up on Friday, but nevertheless, the panel got it all wrong.

The EU told Zelensky not to sign the mineral deal without a security guarantee from the US, and Zelensky never had any intention to sign the deal, anyway.

"What happened? The midget strike out in the UK?"

If so, at least he goy a hug.. ��

**got**

The NY Post article in the link above says that Zelensky has softened his stance and now appears willing to sign the minerals deal BUT continues to insist on security guarantees, which Trump has firmly rejected.

Check the date on this tweet:

Not anymore.

T8me for Trump and Zelinsky to sit down in private and build some trust.

Trump could really use Zelinsky’s help to expose the Democrat and Deep State corruption and kickback schemes.

“The EU told Zelensky not to sign the mineral deal without a security guarantee from the US, and Zelensky never had any intention to sign the deal, anyway.”

That is right. To begin with there was a “Rights” problem anyhow. He made a deal with BlackRock for those rights a couple years ago. So he would have to break contract with BlackRock to give them to us.

The deal with BlackRock to rebuild the Ukraine after the war was over was initiated and arranged by Fortescue Metals Group from Australia. Now why would a mining company be so interested in helping rebuild the Ukraine?

https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/newsroom/press-releases/article/corporate-one/press-releases/blackrock-financial-markets-advisory-to-advise-ministry-of-economy-of-ukraine

That help would be more valuable than the minerals.

The pianist comedian has "sold" those
minerals to many. Many. Many already.

Yep. I haven’t seen many animals that waddle and quack that aren’t ducks. In fact, none really.

Some posters on FR are getting too optimistic about Z. Most of us don’t trust him.

The terms of the first agreement are no longer in play after you screwed up, Z. You must accept this new one which is even more favorable to the US.