Vice President JD Vance publicly dressed down Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.for not being respectful enough to President Donald Trump during a dramatic Oval Office meeting at the White House on Friday.
The vice president launched into attack mode, after he felt Trump was being disrespected by the Ukrainian president.
‘Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media,’ Vance said after Zelensky repeatedly interrupted and disputed statements made by Trump.
A source familiar with the meeting at the White House told DailyMail.com that Zelensky’s demeanor was surprising to American officials in the room.
‘No one expected the meeting to play out as it did, because nobody expected to act that way,’ the source said.
Vance noted that Biden stood up for four years and ‘talked tough’ while ‘thumping his chest’ but Putin invaded Ukraine anyway.
‘The path to peace and the path to prosperity is maybe engaging in diplomacy,’ he said.
Zelensky explained that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been occupying parts of his country since 2014, beginning in Crimea, and that nobody would stop him and broke a negotiated ceasefire.
‘What kind of diplomacy, JD, you are speaking about?’ Zelensky asked.
‘I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country,’ Vance replied.
The vice president reminded Zelensky that Trump was engaging in diplomacy and that he should be respected for trying to find peace between Ukraine and Russia.
‘Do you think it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America that’s trying to prevent the destruction of your country?’ Vance asked to Zelensky.
When Zelensky further questioned Trump’s remarks, disputing the president about the ongoing war between Russia.
‘Have you said thank you once? During this entire meeting?’ Vance asked.
‘A lot of times,’ Zelensky replied. ‘Even today.’
The vice president brought up Zelensky’s trip to Pennsylvania with Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro to sign missiles and talk about the ongoing defense of Ukraine.
‘You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition in October. Offer some words of appreciation for The United States Of America and the president who is trying to save your country,’ he said.
‘What are you speaking about?’ Zelensky said.
Zelensky dismissed Vance for speaking ‘very loudly about the war,’ but Trump interrupted him.
‘He’s not speaking loudly,’ Trump said, and said Zelensky should listen.
Vance was disturbed that Zelensky continued to argue with the president in front of the cameras.
‘Just say thank you,’ Vance continued. ‘Accept that there are disagreements and let’s go litigate those disagreements rather than trying to fight it out in the American media when you’re wrong. We know that you’re wrong.’