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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized U.S. Vice President JD Vance after Vance expressed support for reducing American military assistance to Ukraine, arguing that the move ultimately benefits Russia during its ongoing war.
In remarks aired by Newsmax on Wednesday, April 29, Vance said he was "proud" of the Trump administration's decision last year to halt U.S. weapons shipments directly to Kyiv. He added that European allies could still purchase weapons from the United States, but American funding would no longer be used to send arms to Ukraine.
"It's one of the things I'm proudest of," Vance said, explaining that the policy shift was designed to push Europe to take on a larger share of responsibility for Ukraine's defense.
Zelenskyy strongly rejected the framing of that decision, warning that limiting U.S. support weakens Ukraine's ability to resist Russian aggression and also undermines broader Western security interests. He said that praising reduced assistance effectively helps Russia at a critical moment in the conflict.
"If JD Vance is proud that he's not helping us, it means that he is helping Russians, and I'm not sure that it's strengthening the United States," Zelenskyy said, according to the Kyiv Independent. He added that Russia remains a long-term adversary of the United States and warned against policies that could shift the balance in Moscow's favor.
The exchange comes amid continuing political tension over the future of Western aid to Ukraine. Former U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a temporary pause in military assistance in March 2025 following a strained Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy, according to ABC News. That meeting, held in February 2025, was intended to advance discussions on security guarantees and a potential peace framework but instead turned into a heated confrontation.
During that exchange, Vance accused Zelenskyy of being "disrespectful," while questioning Ukraine's internal military practices and urging gratitude for U.S. support. Zelenskyy pushed back, stating that he would not be lectured on Ukraine's situation by leaders far removed from the battlefield.
Trump also suggested during the meeting that the United States had already provided substantial assistance and implied that Ukraine had not shown enough appreciation.
Following the tense discussions, Zelenskyy canceled some planned appearances in Washington but later posted a message thanking the United States, Congress, and American citizens for their support. He emphasized Ukraine's continued push for what he described as a just and lasting peace.
The White House has defended its approach, saying the pause in aid was part of a broader review to ensure military assistance contributes to a diplomatic resolution. European countries have since taken on a larger share of Ukraine's defense support, including funding for key air defense systems.
Vance has continued to argue for limiting direct U.S. military involvement, while administration officials maintain that the policy is aimed at encouraging allies to share the burden and accelerate efforts to end the war.
