The meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday sparked controversy when Vice President J.D. Vance, seated on a couch across from Trump in the Oval Office, made a witty remark.
“With respect, I think it’s inappropriate for you to come into the Oval Office and try to argue that in front of the American media,” Vance told Zelensky, who had just challenged Trump’s No. 2 to explain his diplomatic stance with Russia.
“You should thank the president for his efforts to end this conflict,” Vance snapped.
While the emergency White House meeting highlighted tensions between Zelensky and Trump, it also demonstrated Vance's growing role as his boss's protector.
Democrats accused the administration of setting up Zelensky by staging the Oval Office attack, but a source familiar with the meeting said Vance's meeting with the Ukrainian leader “was not planned.”
Vance, 40, a possible successor to Trump's Make America Great Again political movement, has been a loyal aide to the president since his appointment just over a month ago.
The former Ohio senator has also emerged as a caustic defender of the commander, putting him in line with other Trump aides, including billionaire Elon Musk, who is leading the president's campaign to curb perceived government waste.
“It was a J.D. Vance moment. Vance is different from Elon. It was very important for him to sit down and confront Zelensky in front of Trump,” said one U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “He supported the president, and Trump likes people to be confrontational, which is what he usually does.”
A senior White House official said the meeting took an unexpected turn when Zelensky began arguing with the vice president.
Zelensky, arguing that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not abiding by a 2019 cease-fire agreement, turned to Vance, using his name, to explain his comments on diplomacy.
“What diplomacy are you talking about, J.D.?” Zelensky asked Vance in English.
“I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that can end the destruction of your country,” Vance responded, calling Zelensky “Mr. President.”
Vance intervened again when an angry Trump also accused Zelensky of disrespect and risky behavior that could lead to a potential World War III.
“Have you ever said thank you?” Vance, a Republican, asked, accusing Zelensky of supporting the Democratic opposition during the 2024 elections.
In September, Zelensky made a surprise visit to former President Joe Biden’s childhood hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to tour a munitions plant. Trump defeated Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, Biden’s vice president, in the upcoming 2024 election.
Zelensky noted that Vance spoke quite loudly. Trump did not like this.
“He doesn't talk big,” Trump said. “You've talked big. Your country is in serious trouble.”
Vance demonstrated a similar penchant for confrontation during his trip to Munich in February, where he chided European leaders for censoring free speech and failing to control immigration.
He also played the role in the election campaign last year, becoming Trump's running mate.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
