In the span of 12 days, Volodymyr Zelensky experienced a stark transformation, from being ignominiously evicted from the White House to potentially brokering a peace deal in the desert.

On that fateful Friday afternoon in the Oval office, the Ukrainian comedian who had transitioned into a political leader was subjected to bullying, belittlement, and humiliation at the hands of Donald Trump and his associate JD Vance.

The episode that unfolded on February 28th was marked by reprehensible behavior, with the US President resorting to all but uttering his infamous Apprentice dismissal line, ‘You’re fired’.

In that feted room fawning Trump cronies mocked Mr Zelensky’s attire and his use of English – his third language after Ukrainian and Russian.

Then, for several days afterwards, the Ukrainian President came under persistent pressure to resign as commentators were convinced his relationship with the US was beyond repair.

Remarkably, Mr Zelensky held his tongue, maintained his composure, and was rewarded last night with US support for his country’s bid to end the war.

President Trump said he would put the deal directly to Vladimir Putin, telling reporters: ‘I will talk to Vladimir Putin – it takes two to tango. I hope he will agree’.

And today, and for the first time since Putin’s illegal invasion three years ago, Ukrainians can wake up genuinely hopeful of a peaceful future.

Should the Russian President reject Ukraine’s proposal of a 30-day ceasefire, as was being given a 50-50 chance last night by seasoned watchers, the country will be in a significantly stronger bargaining position.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks with the media following meetings with a Ukrainian delegation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabiaon Tuesday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C) walking with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (R) during their meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

(L-R) US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov and the Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak during the meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The commitment by President Zelensky, who travelled to Saudi Arabia but did not participate in Tuesday’s negotiations, went further than his initial proposal.

That offer was only for a sea and air ceasefire. Tuesday night’s offer was to stop the shooting altogether.

He also secured a major concession from Trump – the resumption of US military aid and intelligence support without first signing a deal to sell off his country’s mineral wealth.

Matthew’s gospel says ‘Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth’. No political leader in the world is more deserving of ‘victory’, and of acclaim, than mild-mannered Mr Zelensky.

For he has brought his war-ravaged country and its heroic population to the precipice of peace, with a little help from his friends, including Britain.

Now, noted strategist Putin finds himself in check. He may have more military pieces on the battlefield of eastern Ukraine, but his adversary has gained back the support of the world’s leading military superpower.

The balance of power on the board has changed. For as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained last night, if Putin does not agree to peace ‘then we’ll know what the impediment is’.

And, after that, even the uniquely unpredictable President Trump, who at times appears in awe of Vladimir Putin, will have to adopt a more adversarial stance against him.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R, front) welcomed visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) attending a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (R) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Ukrainian Head of Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, right, and Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov speak to journalists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio walks on the day of meetings with the Ukrainian delegation on Ukraine-Russia peace talks, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

(From L) US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian Head of Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha and Ukraine’s Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov as they pose for a photograph after attending the Ukrainian and US delegations meeting in Jeddah

Even the uniquely unpredictable President Trump, who at times appears in awe of Vladimir Putin (pictured), will have to adopt a more adversarial stance against him

President Donald Trump (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office at the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Behind the scenes, Sir Keir Starmer and leading UK officials such as National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell, have played a significant role since the White House debacle.

The Prime Minister has energised Europe, stood up to the bullies in Washington DC and convinced Mr Zelensky he can rely on this country’s support more than any other.

Sir Keir was also in the ear of his Ukrainian counterpart soon after the Oval Office debacle, guiding him as to how to respond to Mr Trump and prompting an olive branch offered a week ago that helped turned the tumultous situation on its head and pave a path to peace.

Mr Powell, a seasoned envoy, was later dispatched to Kyiv to provide the Ukrainian president with a guide to transatlantic diplomacy.

When President Zelensky was unceremoniously turfed out of the White House the guffawing from the Kremlin could almost be heard in Kyiv.

But the mood in Moscow will surely be more uncertain.

The US’s plan was always to force Ukraine to make sacrifices then put Putin on the spot.

The first part of that strategy has succeeded. The second part of Trump envoy Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg’s masterplan involves turning up the pressure on the Russian President into a peace deal.

The Prime Minister has energised Europe, stood up to the bullies in Washington DC and convinced Mr Zelensky he can rely on this country’s support more than any other

Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk sit in a Tesla car model S, in front of the White House in Washington, D.C. today

Mr Trump has dispatched his fixer, and golf buddy, Steve Witkoff to the Kremlin because he is optimistic of securing a deal. He has hinted at such, saying ‘only he knows’ what the Russians will do next.

One wonders how Ukraine’s ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova is feeling this morning.

As Trump and Vance tore strips off her president less than a fortnight ago, she held her head in her hands, unable to watch his mauling.

Today, her president’s fortitude has been rewarded and all Ukrainians can hold their heads up, hoping the war may be over soon.