Nate Vance, the cousin of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, has publicly condemned both JD Vance and President Donald Trump for their treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a tense Oval Office meeting in February 2025. Nate, who spent three years volunteering with the Ukrainian military following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, expressed his disapproval in an interview with the BBC. He described the meeting as lacking the “decorum” expected from political leaders, especially when such events are broadcast to the public.
A Strong Stand Against US Approach to Ukraine
Nate Vance’s criticism is not a one-off incident. In previous remarks, he accused Trump and JD Vance of acting as “useful idiots” for Russian President Vladimir Putin, due to their stance on the war in Ukraine. The meeting, which was streamed live, became increasingly tense. During the discussion, President Trump warned Zelensky that the U.S. would withdraw its support unless a deal was struck, even threatening the prospect of “World War Three.” JD Vance also criticized Zelensky, accusing him of being disrespectful for raising concerns about the war in front of the media, claiming the Ukrainian leader had failed to show sufficient gratitude for the U.S. aid.
Zelensky’s Gratitude and JD Vance’s Accusations
Nate Vance, however, strongly disagreed with the allegations of disrespect. He pointed out that Zelensky consistently expresses gratitude during his daily or nightly addresses, thanking all those who support Ukraine. While acknowledging that Zelensky may not have shown enough deference to Trump and JD Vance, Nate argued that such expectations were unreasonable, particularly given that his cousin and Trump have been vocal opponents of Zelensky’s initiatives for the past few years.
Attire Criticism and Double Standards
The tensions in the meeting were further exacerbated by a critique of Zelensky’s attire. A reporter took issue with the fact that Zelensky did not wear a suit during the meeting, as he typically dons military-style clothing to symbolize solidarity with his troops. Nate Vance dismissed the criticism as petty and unnecessary. He argued that the symbolism of Zelensky’s attire was clear, and there was no need to focus on such trivial matters. Additionally, he pointed out the hypocrisy of allowing figures like Elon Musk to visit the White House in casual clothing, such as a T-shirt and baseball cap, without facing similar scrutiny.
Nate Vance’s Unusual Stance and Call for Unity
In a separate interview with Le Figaro, Nate Vance described his cousin as “a good guy, intelligent,” but criticized the Oval Office encounter as an “ambush of absolute bad faith.” He admitted that his position on the matter was unusual, given his long-standing affiliation with the Republican Party. “I’ve been a Republican my whole life, so this is an odd position for me to take. But I’m passionate about it, and I think we’re handling this issue the wrong way,” he said.
Despite his party affiliation, Nate emphasized that many Americans would likely feel disheartened by the incident, estimating that around 20% of the population would share his disappointment. He warned against the growing trend of isolationism, reminding people that such an approach contributed to the onset of both World War I and World War II.
