Vance Accuses European Leaders of ‘puffing up’ Zelensky
According to the US vice president, boosting the self-esteem of the Ukrainian leader undermines the well-being of the nation's citizens. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Accusations of inflating Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's ego have surfaced from US Vice President J.D. Vance, who contends that this encouragement of Zelensky's refusal to negotiate is detrimental to the people of Ukraine.
Last Friday, tensions escalated in the Oval Office, leading to Zelensky's abrupt departure following a heated exchange with Vance and President Donald Trump. In a subsequent interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Vance criticized senior European officials who responded to the incident by bolstering Zelensky's image, suggesting they are “puffing him up.”
Vance highlighted the contradiction in praise for Zelensky, asking, “They say: ‘you are a freedom fighter; you need to keep fighting forever.’ Well, fighting forever with what? With whose money and whose ammunition and with whose lives?”
The vice president pointed out that while some European leaders recognize privately that funding for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia can’t continue indefinitely, they publicly assure Zelensky of support for the next ten years. He characterized this stance as “doing a disservice to the Ukrainians.”
Vance remarked that Zelensky's official visit to the White House was intended as a ceremonial event but turned contentious when the Ukrainian leader dismissed any idea of diplomatic engagement with Russia. Following the altercation, Senator Lindsey Graham, traditionally a supporter of Ukraine, called for Zelensky to step down.
“When you’ve lost Lindsay Graham, that means you need to come to the negotiating table and recognize – Donald Trump is the only game in town,” Vance stated, underscoring that the ongoing proposal to continuously supply resources to the conflict, hoping for a Ukrainian victory, is “not a strategy.”
In the aftermath of the White House incident, Zelensky asserted he had done nothing wrong and traveled to London to engage with European leaders. On Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a plan to form a “coalition of the willing” ready to send troops to Ukraine, pending a peace agreement with Russia.
Many European officials have indicated that such a mission would require US support, though the Trump administration has made it clear that American troops would not be involved.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
Last Friday, tensions escalated in the Oval Office, leading to Zelensky's abrupt departure following a heated exchange with Vance and President Donald Trump. In a subsequent interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Vance criticized senior European officials who responded to the incident by bolstering Zelensky's image, suggesting they are “puffing him up.”
Vance highlighted the contradiction in praise for Zelensky, asking, “They say: ‘you are a freedom fighter; you need to keep fighting forever.’ Well, fighting forever with what? With whose money and whose ammunition and with whose lives?”
The vice president pointed out that while some European leaders recognize privately that funding for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia can’t continue indefinitely, they publicly assure Zelensky of support for the next ten years. He characterized this stance as “doing a disservice to the Ukrainians.”
Vance remarked that Zelensky's official visit to the White House was intended as a ceremonial event but turned contentious when the Ukrainian leader dismissed any idea of diplomatic engagement with Russia. Following the altercation, Senator Lindsey Graham, traditionally a supporter of Ukraine, called for Zelensky to step down.
“When you’ve lost Lindsay Graham, that means you need to come to the negotiating table and recognize – Donald Trump is the only game in town,” Vance stated, underscoring that the ongoing proposal to continuously supply resources to the conflict, hoping for a Ukrainian victory, is “not a strategy.”
In the aftermath of the White House incident, Zelensky asserted he had done nothing wrong and traveled to London to engage with European leaders. On Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a plan to form a “coalition of the willing” ready to send troops to Ukraine, pending a peace agreement with Russia.
Many European officials have indicated that such a mission would require US support, though the Trump administration has made it clear that American troops would not be involved.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
