(The Lion) — Ukraine President Voldomyer Zelenskyy appears to have changed his tune.

Just four days after he was embarrassed on TV with both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance calling him “disrespectful” and telling him he “didn’t have the cards” to play – and after Trump paused all U.S. aid to Ukraine – Zelenskyy struck a different tone on Tuesday.

“Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be,” Zelenskyy posted on X. “It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.”

Zelenskyy, who became president in 2019, has received more than $180 billion in U.S. aid since Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022. Critics said he had a “blank check” from the Biden White House, routinely receiving large aid packages from Congress, something Trump said he would stop.

Trump has also said the war would never have started if he were in office and vowed to end the conflict quickly upon his return to office.

Zelenskyy was in Washington last week to sign a deal that included promises of security and aid from the U.S. in exchange for long-term rights to its rich mineral reserves, but the plan went unsigned and Zelensky kept insisting he needed more support from the U.S.

Both Trump and Vance told him he was being ungrateful for what he’d received and that he was prolonging the war and possibly making things even worse.

“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people,” Trump said. “You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have.”

On Tuesday, Zelenskyy said “none of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer.

“My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”

The Ukrainian leader said he valued “how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence” and that he appreciated Trump providing Javelins, a portable, anti-tank missile. “We are grateful for that.”

He also said he was ready to sign the mineral agreement.

The change in tune, and Trump’s firmness, was getting high marks online.

“Trump is the master negotiator. Once again, he shows the world that he’s in charge,” posted Chris Roy on X. “Of course all the liberals were apologizing to Ukraine for the way Trump and Vance treated Zelensky. Uh, this is what you call strength and leadership. THIS is America first! Get used to it!