Vice President JD Vance Faces Pro-Ukraine Protests in Vermont After Oval Office Dispute

Image credits: Photo by Evan L’Roy/VTDigger

Vice President JD Vance was forced to cut his family's ski trip to Vermont short after hundreds of pro-Ukraine protesters swarmed the Sugarbush Resort, where they were vacationing. The protests came just days after Vance's public dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, in which Vance read Zelensky the riot act in front of international media, accusing him of not showing enough gratitude for US aid. The intense protests, which included signs labeling Vance a "national disgrace" and a "traitor," prompted Vance and his family to flee to an undisclosed location.

The protests in Vermont were part of a larger wave of demonstrations across the US, with hundreds gathering in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Boston to express their support for Ukraine and Zelensky. The protests were sparked by the Oval Office meeting between Trump, Vance, and Zelensky, which was widely seen as an embarrassing moment for the US. European leaders, including the prime ministers of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, posted messages of support for Ukraine, and leading Democratic lawmakers rallied to Zelensky's side, with one calling the Oval Office meeting an "ambush" of the Ukrainian president by Trump and Vance.

The protests in Vermont were organized by local groups, including the Indivisible Mad River Valley chapter, which estimated that between 1,000 and 3,000 people attended the demonstration in Waitsfield. The protesters held signs reading "Vermont stands with Ukraine" and "International embarrassment," and many waved Ukrainian flags in solidarity. Counter-protesters, including some with "Make America Great Again" flags, also attended the demonstration, leading to heated exchanges between the two groups. The divisive nature of the protests reflects the deepening polarization in the US over issues such as foreign policy and national security.

Here are some key points about the protests and the Oval Office dispute: * The protests in Vermont were planned earlier in the week, but took on new intensity after the Oval Office meeting between Trump, Vance, and Zelensky. * The meeting was widely seen as an embarrassing moment for the US, with Trump telling Zelensky to make a deal with Russia "or we're out." * Zelensky countered that he had repeatedly thanked the American people and their leaders for their support, but Ukrainians did not want to accept a ceasefire with Russia without security guarantees. * The protests across the US were organized by local groups, including the Indivisible Mad River Valley chapter, and included signs reading "Vermont stands with Ukraine" and "International embarrassment." * Counter-protesters, including some with "Make America Great Again" flags, also attended the demonstrations, leading to heated exchanges between the two groups.

The incident has sparked a wider debate about the US's role in international affairs and the consequences of the Trump administration's policies. As the protests continue to unfold, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what impact it will have on the US's relationships with other countries. The US's position on the international stage has been called into question, with some commentators noting that the country is no longer seen as a leader in global affairs. The protests have also highlighted the deepening divisions within the US, with some Americans expressing support for Ukraine and others backing the Trump administration's policies.