US Vice President JD Vance’s cousin has openly criticized him and President Donald Trump for what he described as their dismissive and belittling treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a tense meeting in the Oval Office in February. Nate Vance, who volunteered for three years with the Ukrainian military following Russia’s full-scale invasion, expressed his deep disappointment in an interview with the BBC. He noted that political leaders are expected to maintain a certain level of decorum, particularly in high-profile diplomatic settings, but he felt that the way Trump and JD Vance handled the meeting was disrespectful and inappropriate. He admitted that he was left feeling “not happy” about how events unfolded.

His remarks come after previous comments in which he accused both Trump and JD Vance of acting as “useful idiots” for Russian President Vladimir Putin, a claim first reported by The Guardian. The February meeting, which was broadcast live, quickly took on an aggressive tone. Trump made it clear that continued US support for Ukraine was conditional, warning Zelensky not to “gamble with World War Three” and stating that a deal had to be reached with Russia. Meanwhile, JD Vance accused the Ukrainian president of being disrespectful for voicing concerns about US policy in front of the media. He also suggested that Zelensky had not shown enough gratitude for the extensive aid Ukraine had received from the United States.

Nate Vance strongly rejected that claim, countering that Zelensky regularly expresses his appreciation in his nightly addresses to the Ukrainian people. He acknowledged that the Ukrainian leader may not have displayed the kind of deference that Trump and JD Vance expected, but he argued that such deference was unreasonable given the reality of the past three years. According to him, Trump and his cousin had been actively working against Zelensky’s initiatives since the start of the war, making it unrealistic to expect warm gestures of thanks from the Ukrainian president.

The meeting ultimately ended in chaos. Tensions escalated to the point where Zelensky was asked to leave the White House, and a planned news conference was abruptly canceled. In the aftermath, the Trump administration halted military aid to Ukraine, including intelligence-sharing and access to satellite imagery, sparking further controversy. This sudden shift in policy left many foreign policy experts concerned about the future of US-Ukrainian relations and the broader implications for global security.

Adding to the controversy, a reporter at the meeting criticized Zelensky for not wearing a suit. The Ukrainian president, since the beginning of the war, has consistently worn military-style clothing as a symbol of unity with his soldiers. Nate Vance dismissed this criticism as trivial, calling it a distraction from the real issues at hand. He argued that Zelensky’s attire was an important and deliberate statement, representing his commitment to his country and the men and women fighting on the front lines. He also pointed out the glaring double standard, noting that Elon Musk has frequently visited the White House in casual clothing, often wearing a T-shirt and baseball cap, without anyone raising concerns about professionalism or decorum.

In a separate interview with Le Figaro, Nate Vance described his cousin as an intelligent person but characterized the Oval Office meeting as “an ambush of absolute bad faith.” He admitted that his stance on the matter was somewhat unusual given his lifelong Republican affiliation. Still, he emphasized that his views on Ukraine had been shaped by his firsthand experience, and he believed that the US was handling the situation in a counterproductive manner. While acknowledging that many Americans might not follow the war closely, he estimated that around 20% of the population would be disheartened by the way the US leadership treated Zelensky.

Nate Vance also issued a stark warning about the dangers of growing isolationism in US foreign policy. He drew historical parallels, reminding people that when the US adopted an isolationist stance in the early 20th century, it ultimately led to catastrophic global conflicts, including World War One and World War Two. He expressed concern that similar mistakes could be made if the US continues to disengage from international commitments, particularly in Ukraine.

Following the contentious meeting, Zelensky publicly described the conversation as “regrettable” and called for renewed efforts to rebuild relations between the two nations. Despite this diplomatic setback, US officials have continued efforts to engage in negotiations with both Ukraine and Russia, with hopes of reaching an agreement to end the war. Meanwhile, Trump has claimed that he is making progress in discussions with Russia but admitted that dealing with Ukraine has been more challenging. The diplomatic landscape remains uncertain, with tensions running high and the future of US support for Ukraine still in question.