Vice President JD Vance’s ski holiday in Vermont with his family was disrupted by a swarm of protestors following the tense face-off between the United States and Ukraine in the Oval Office.
The protests follow the calamitous meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which spiraled into a fiery confrontation spearheaded by Vance. The meeting began amicably until Vance verbally attacked Zelensky, completely catching him off guard.
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During the meeting, when Zelensky asked about the diplomatic solution Vance advocated for, Vance retorted, “I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country.”
He continued, “Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”
Vance then accused Zelensky of campaigning for the Democrats in the 2024 presidential elections. He also claimed that Zelensky had failed to express gratitude to the United States for the financial support provided to help Ukraine defend against the Russian invasion.
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“I was very proud of JD Vance standing up for our country,” South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime advocate for Ukraine and a foreign policy hawk, told reporters outside the White House.
The confrontation has further escalated tensions between the US and Ukraine, leading experts to question Washington’s commitment to Kyiv in light of intensified assaults by Moscow on Ukrainian territory.
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“Even when the US and Russia had its best relationship… there was tenseness and distrust. I don’t think we’ve ever had a relationship that’s been so brotherly,” she remarked.