The meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky turned into an argument after the intervention of Vice President J.D. Vance, sitting on the couch opposite Trump in the Oval Office, reports "Reuters".
"With respect, I think it is disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to argue this with the American media," Vance told Zelensky, who asked the vice president to explain what he meant by advocating diplomacy with Russia.
"You should thank the president for trying to end this conflict," Vance snapped.
Although the emergency meeting at the White House exposed the While the public display of tension between Zelensky and Trump has highlighted Vance's growing role as something of a watchdog for his boss, Democrats have accused the White House of setting up Zelensky with an attack in the Oval Office, but a source familiar with the meeting said Vance's meeting with the Ukrainian leader was "not planned." Vance, 40, a potential successor to Trump's Make America Great Again political movement, has been a loyal staffer to the president since the pair took office a little over a month ago. The former Ohio senator has carved out a niche as a fierce defender of the president, joining other Trump aides, including billionaire Elon Musk, who has been working on the president's charge to cut government waste. "It was Jay's flexibility "Di Vance. Vance is different from Elon. For him to sit down and confront Zelensky in front of Trump was a very big moment," said a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "He supported the president, and Trump loves it when people come out to do the confrontation that he usually does." A senior White House official noted that the meeting took a turn when Zelensky confronted the vice president. Zelensky, who has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of violating a 2019 ceasefire agreement, asked Vance, using his first name, to explain his pursuit of diplomacy. "What kind of diplomacy, J.D., are you talking about?" Zelensky asked, speaking in English. "I'm talking about the kind of diplomacy that will end the destruction of your country," Vance replied, addressing Zelensky as "Mr. President." Vance chimed in again after an irritated Trump also accused Zelensky of disrespect and gambling with a potential Third World War.
"Did you say "thank you" even once?", Vance asked, accusing Zelensky of campaigning on behalf of the Democratic opposition during the 2024 presidential election.
Zelensky made a surprise visit to former President Joe Biden's hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, in September, where he visited a munitions plant. Trump defeated Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, Biden's vice president, in the 2024 White House race.
Zelensky noted that Vance spoke loudly. Trump did not like that.
"He did not speak loudly", the US president snapped. "You spoke a lot. Your country is in big trouble." Vance showed a similar appetite for confrontation in February, during a trip to Munich, where he accused European leaders of censoring free speech and failing to control immigration. He also played a role in last year's election campaign after becoming Trump's running mate. "J.D. Vance is very good at articulating the president's agenda and attacking why Donald Trump chose him," said Republican strategist Lance Trover. Vance's role in the meeting yesterday drew praise from Trump allies. "I was very proud of J.D. Vance standing up for our country," said Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a staunch ally of Ukraine, at the White House after the meeting. Vance reached out and patted Trump on the arm as reporters left the Oval Office. He did not shake hands - at least not on camera - with the Ukrainian leader.