Pro-Ukraine protests erupted across the United States this past weekend in response to a tense exchange in the Oval Office between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The protests saw hundreds of demonstrators rallying in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Boston, expressing their unwavering support for Ukraine following the heated confrontation.
In Waitsfield, Vermont, protestors lined the streets while Vice President JD Vance and his family were visiting for a ski trip. This demonstration had been planned prior to the Trump-Zelensky meeting but drew additional attention due to the fallout from the Oval Office clash. Protesters carried signs criticizing the administration's stance on Ukraine and calling for a unified response against Russia's aggression.
Judy Daly, a member of the organizing group Indivisible Mad River Valley, remarked, “Friday's performance at the White House has probably galvanized even more people to come out today,” while another protester, Cori Giroux, voiced that Vance had, "crossed the line" during the confrontation with Zelensky. Vermont's Republican governor, Phil Scott, urged respect toward the Vance family, despite his own opposition to Trump, encouraging citizens to extend a welcoming hand to the Vice President and his children.
Additionally, protests against billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk took place outside Tesla stores across the country as demonstrators rallied against proposals to reduce government spending—a plan Musk is overseeing as part of his role in the Department of Government Efficiency.
The Oval Office meeting on Friday featured sharp comments from Trump, who suggested Zelensky should negotiate with Russia or face a withdrawal of American support. He further criticized Zelensky’s perceived lack of gratitude towards the U.S. for its backing in Ukraine's ongoing struggle. Meanwhile, Vance accused Zelensky of being disrespectful and politicizing the situation.
As Zelensky joins European leaders for an upcoming summit on the war, discussions concerning military support and financial aid for Ukraine continue to intensify, with efforts in the UK further solidifying international pledges to assist the besieged nation.
