Ukraine is completely dependent on the United States. And all their president seems to do is be ungrateful.
Now Zelensky recklessly attacked J.D. Vance for one braindead reason.
Zelensky Criticizes Vance’s Realist Stance on Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took aim at Vice President J.D. Vance in a 60 Minutes interview that aired Sunday, accusing him of defending Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions.
“First and foremost, we did not launch an attack to start the war. It seems to me that the vice president is somehow justifying Putin’s actions,” Zelensky told CBS’s Scott Pelley in a translated segment.
The swipe comes amid growing tension between Ukraine and the Trump administration, which has emphasized a shift in U.S. foreign policy—away from endless military funding and toward strategic diplomacy.
A New Foreign Policy Direction
Zelensky’s relationship with the new administration has been marked by friction, especially as Vice President Vance has emerged as a key voice in the effort to reevaluate America’s role in the war. U.S. officials have increasingly pressed for a path toward ending the conflict, rather than prolonging it with indefinite arms shipments.
A particularly tense meeting took place less than two months ago when President Trump and Vice President Vance met with Zelensky. During the exchange, the American and Ukrainian leaders reportedly clashed over continued U.S. support—Vance playing a central role in questioning the direction of current policy.
Throughout his rise, Vance has made no secret of his skepticism toward open-ended military commitments. He’s advocated for diplomatic engagement that puts American interests first, including direct negotiation efforts with Putin to avoid further escalation.
“I’ve never once argued that Putin is a kind and friendly person. I’ve argued that he’s a person with distinct interests, and the United States has to respond to that person with distinct interests,” Vance said in early 2024 at the Munich Security Conference, while still serving in the Senate.
Trump Reasserts Leadership, Blames Biden for War
In the same 60 Minutes interview, Zelensky issued an invitation for Trump to visit Ukraine.
“You think you understand what’s going on here, OK, we respect your position, you understand,” Zelensky said. “But please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of formats of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors.”
While the Ukrainian president continues to lobby for sustained U.S. involvement, Trump has made clear he views the conflict as a byproduct of failed Democratic leadership.
In a Truth Social post Monday morning, Trump wrote, “The conflict in Ukraine is [former President] Biden’s war.”
“I just got here, and for four years during my term, had no problem in preventing it from happening. President Putin, and everyone else, respected your President! I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS WAR, BUT AM WORKING DILIGENTLY TO GET THE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION TO STOP,” he added.
As the new administration signals a turn toward diplomacy and de-escalation, critics abroad may resist—but Vance’s approach is rooted in prioritizing long-term American stability over short-term global entanglements.
