In Vermont, protesters lined the streets as Vice President JD Vance traveled with his family, aiming for a ski getaway shortly after a heated altercation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. Holding pro-Ukraine placards along the path Vance was expected to take in Waitsfield, dissenters expressed their solidarity with Ukraine following the incident that unfolded in the Oval Office. Reports indicate that the Vance family opted to relocate to an undisclosed destination rather than proceed to their originally chosen ski resort, due to the ongoing demonstrations.
The protests were amplified on Saturday, with gatherings also taking place in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Boston, encouraging support for Ukraine just the day after the dramatic exchange involving Vance and Trump confronting Zelensky. The White House showdown involved Vance accusing Zelensky of disrespecting the United States, while Trump pressed the Ukrainian leader to negotiate with Russia, warning him against escalating tensions that could lead to global conflict.
Originally scheduled before the clash, the protest in Waitsfield was organized to voice dissent against the Trump-Vance administration, but many attendees adapted their signs to include references to the controversial confrontation and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Judy Daly, from the advocacy group Indivisible Mad River Valley, noted that the Oval Office incident stirred more individuals to engage in the protest. Another demonstrator, Cori Giroux, stated, “Vance crossed the line.”
Before the family's visit, Vermont Governor Phil Scott urged citizens to treat Vance and his family with respect. Acknowledging his dislike for Trump, the Republican governor welcomed the vice president with hopes that his family would enjoy their time in Vermont, remarking on the region’s prosperous winter conditions.
Vance, a father of three young children, has not publicly addressed the protests. It was reported that counter-protesters supporting Trump and Vance were also present in Waitsfield.
Controversially, following the tense White House meeting, Zelensky traveled to the United Kingdom, receiving a warm reception from Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In London, he engaged with European leaders and Canada’s Justin Trudeau to discuss resolving the crisis in Ukraine and reinforcing Europe's security. Starmer expressed a commitment to collaborate with Ukraine alongside France to devise strategies aimed at deescalating the conflict with Russia, and acknowledged the discomfort surrounding the earlier exchange between Zelensky, Vance, and Trump.
