In Trump’s Zelensky takedown, Vance puts his stamp on ‘America First’ policy
The clash with the Ukrainian president was the latest bold foray by Vance into pushing US foreign policy sharply away from internationalism
The Oval Office meeting between Donald Trump and Zelensky was bound to be awkward due to the two presidents’ tense history and opposing views, but started off on comparatively civil terms, as they discussed plans for a minerals deal.
More than half an hour after media started recording, Vance spoke up and urged a turn to diplomacy over war – moving Zelensky to explain how Russia has violated earlier deals.
Vance, speaking with sangfroid from the facing couch, then told Zelensky that he was being “disrespectful” and that he should have come to the White House to thank Trump.
Trump, not one to tolerate questioning of his authority, soon raised his voice with Zelensky and warned him that he had to accept a deal with Russia or be abandoned by the United States.
Zelensky in a later interview on Fox News voiced hope at ending the rift. But he made clear how he felt about Vance’s role.