From his ignominious eviction from the White House to a potential peace deal in the desert – what a difference 12 days makes in the life of Volodymyr Zelensky. That infamous Friday afternoon in the Oval office, the Ukrainian comedian turned political leader was bulled, belittled and humiliated by Donald Trump and his sidekick JD Vance. In one of the most despicable political spectacles of recent times, the only words the US President left out on February 28th were his Apprentice catchphrase, ‘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. 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. 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. 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.