US Vice President JD Vance has rejected allegations that his heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office was premeditated, dismissing claims that Donald Trump staged a “good cop, bad cop” scenario to humiliate and expel their guest.
Zelensky, Trump, and Vance were involved in a tense verbal altercation at the White House last month, during which Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of showing disrespect towards the United States, failing to acknowledge past US aid, and refusing to pursue peace with Russia.
Following the diplomatic fallout, Zelensky was asked to leave the White House before closed-door talks could commence, fuelling speculation among his supporters that the confrontation had been orchestrated.
Dismissing such claims, Vance stated, “No, it was certainly not planned,” explaining that Trump had been responding to the third consecutive question from the same reporter when he decided to interject.
“I just wanted to answer the question. And then, of course, something I said in my answer caused the blow-up. Zelensky got frustrated with it, and then everything went from there,” Vance said.
Also read: Trump-Zelenskyy White House clash: What went down? Watch
“I’m the vice president; I try to be respectful. But I also recognise that sometimes the president wants me to say stuff. And of course, if I think there’s something useful I can say and I think that it’s going to be deferential to the president—I’ll jump in and offer my thoughts,” he added.
The dispute escalated when Vance attempted to make a point about diplomacy, stating, “I am talking about the kind of diplomacy that is going to end the destruction of your country…” before Zelensky cut him off, saying, “Yes, but what do you…”
Vance then responded sharply: “Mr President, with respect, I think it is disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media.”
Zelensky retorted, “During the war, everybody has problems, even you. But you have [a] nice ocean and do not feel [it] now, but you will feel it in the future…”
Trump then interjected, telling Zelensky, “Do not tell us what we are going to feel. We are trying to solve a problem. Because you are in no position to dictate… you have no cards.”
The incident has deepened tensions between Washington and Kyiv, with observers questioning the future of US-Ukraine relations under the Trump administration.
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