Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reversed course and issued an apology to President Donald Trump after their highly publicized Oval Office clash last month. The Ukrainian leader’s aggressive stance toward Trump failed to secure more U.S. military aid and instead resulted in diplomatic embarrassment.

Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirmed Monday that Zelenskyy sent a letter acknowledging his misstep. “Zelenskyy sent a letter to the president. He apologized for that whole incident that happened in the Oval Office,” Witkoff said during a Fox News interview, calling it a step toward mending relations.

Trump had previously referenced the letter in his address to Congress but chose to focus on Ukraine’s newfound willingness to negotiate peace with Russia rather than highlighting the apology. The shift in tone follows Trump’s decision to pause military aid and intelligence-sharing with Kyiv.

Zelenskyy’s miscalculation during his White House visit put Ukraine in a weaker position. Instead of winning Trump over, his hardball approach only reinforced Trump’s stance that U.S. involvement in the conflict must end. The Ukrainian leader’s refusal to acknowledge reality has led to thousands of additional deaths in a war he cannot win.

With a major diplomatic defeat on his hands, Zelenskyy is now trying to salvage relations before critical negotiations in Saudi Arabia. The discussions will include ceasefire terms and U.S. investment in Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. A deal on mining rights was initially expected to be signed during Zelenskyy’s visit but was delayed due to the heated Oval Office exchange.

As Trump pushes for an end to the war, Zelenskyy appears to be recognizing that his previous approach backfired. Whether his apology will change the course of negotiations remains to be seen.