“It means JD Vance is helping the Russians.” Zelensky openly criticizes the US vice president
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized US Vice President JD Vance for praising the suspension of US military aid to Ukraine, saying the stance benefits Russia and weakens the United States, in an interview with Newsmax published Thursday, April 29.
The Ukrainian leader's comments came after Vance publicly defended the Trump administration's decision to halt direct US arms transfers to Kiev, a policy shift that drew criticism and underscored divisions in Washington over support for Ukraine, The Kyiv Independent notes.
“It's one of the things I'm most proud of … I told Europe that if it wants to buy weapons, it can, but the U.S. is no longer buying weapons or sending them to Ukraine,” Vance said in April.
Zelenskiy hit back at those claims, arguing that cutting aid to Ukraine ultimately strengthens Moscow's position.
“If JD Vance is proud that he's not helping us, that means he's helping the Russians, and I'm not sure that strengthens the United States,” Zelenskiy said in an interview with Newsmax.
“Russia is the enemy. They (the Russians, no) will always be the enemy of the United States,” added the leader from Kiev.
The exchange of remarks comes amid a broader shift in US policy under President Donald Trump, who has halted most new military aid to Ukraine and urged Europe to pick up more of the support.
European countries provided the bulk of military assistance to Ukraine in 2025, including funding for interceptor missiles under the Patriot air defense system and other US-made systems.
According to the Kyiv-based publication, Vance has established himself within the Washington administration as one of the most vocal critics of continued US aid to Ukraine.
The White House has defended Vance's role in foreign policy. A spokeswoman, Olivia Wales, said the Trump administration remains focused on ending the war.
“President Trump has a tremendous national security team … working together to end the war between Russia and Ukraine,” Wales was quoted as saying by the Ukrainian publication.
“The vice president has always been a trusted voice on all foreign policy topics … Vance is an invaluable member of the president's exceptional team,” the spokeswoman added.
