US Vice-President JD Vance faced protests during a family ski trip in Vermont following a contentious Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Demonstrators, holding pro-Ukraine signs such as “International embarrassment,” gathered in Waitsfield, prompting the Vance family to change their location. The protests intensified after Vance’s aggressive remarks toward Zelensky, which many found unacceptable. Vermont’s Republican Governor Phil Scott called for respectful behavior towards Vance, contrasting with public sentiment. Critics highlighted Vance’s comments on diplomacy regarding the Ukraine-Russia war and accused Zelensky of political interference in the 2024 US election, igniting further outrage.
Vermont, US:
Following the unprecedented clash in the Oval Office with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US Vice-President JD Vance embarked on a family trip to Vermont for a skiing holiday, where he encountered protesters holding pro-Ukraine signs. Hundreds of demonstrators assembled in Waitsfield, Vermont, on Saturday morning to oppose the vice-president’s presence in the Republican-led state.
Protesters displayed signs stating “International embarrassment” and “Vermont stands with Ukraine,” while many waved Ukrainian flags. Due to the protest, the Vance family had to relocate to an undisclosed location away from their intended ski resort, as reported by American media.
Vermont’s message to JD Vance: Not in our town, you fascist piece of shit. 😡😡😡😡😡👇 pic.twitter.com/Pk4QwFu3fv
— Bill Madden (@maddenifico) March 1, 2025
A protest against the Trump-Vance administration was planned in Waitsfield earlier that week, prior to the vice-president’s confrontation with Zelensky in the Oval Office. Additional protesters joined after the incident, according to a report from The Guardian.
Signs held by protesters, referencing both the confrontation and Russia’s war with Ukraine, indicated that they were compelled to demonstrate after witnessing Vance and Trump’s contentious White House meeting with Zelensky on Friday.
“After what he did yesterday, he crossed the line,” protester Cori Giroux stated to Vermont Public Radio.
This occurred despite Republican Phil Scott—who has not supported Trump in any of his three presidential bids—urging Vermonters to show respect towards Vance and his family during their visit.
“Please join me in welcoming them to Vermont and hoping they have an opportunity to experience what makes our state, and Vermonters, so special,” he expressed in a statement on Thursday.
On Friday, Vance initiated the criticism of Zelensky before President Trump joined in during a meeting that had started amicably, until the vice-president praised Trump for pursuing what he termed a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
“What kind of diplomacy, JD, are you referring to?” Zelensky questioned, who has been critical of direct negotiations between Washington and Moscow. “What do you mean?”
“I’m referring to the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country,” Vance replied, firmly addressing Zelensky.
“Mr. President, with all due respect, I find it disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to argue this out in front of the American media,” he continued.
Vance also charged the Ukrainian leader with campaigning for Democrats during the 2024 presidential election. Zelensky had visited Pennsylvania, a key swing state, last September and met with Trump’s opponent, Kamala Harris, at the White House.