Protesters confront JD Vance in Vermont after Zelensky clash

Protesters lined the streets of Vermont on Saturday in anticipation of Vice President JD Vance’s arrival, following his heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. Demonstrators holding pro-Ukraine signs gathered along the road in Waitsfield, where Vance and his family had planned to travel for a ski trip. However, according to sources, the family was relocated to an undisclosed location due to the protests.

The demonstration in Vermont was one of several across the country, as crowds also gathered in New York, Los Angeles, and Boston to express support for Ukraine. The protests came a day after the intense confrontation in the Oval Office, where Vance accused Zelensky of disrespecting the United States, and President Donald Trump warned the Ukrainian leader to negotiate with Russia “or we are out,” further accusing him of “gambling with World War Three.”

While the protest in Waitsfield had been planned earlier in the week as a demonstration against the Trump-Vance administration, many signs referenced the recent White House dispute and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Local activist Judy Daly, from Indivisible Mad River Valley, told Vermont Public Radio that Friday’s confrontation had likely encouraged more people to take part in the demonstration. Protester Cori Giroux echoed the sentiment, arguing that Vance had “crossed the line” in his comments toward Zelensky.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott, a Republican who has long distanced himself from Trump, urged residents to remain respectful toward the vice president and his family. Scott welcomed Vance to the state, highlighting Vermont’s strong winter tourism season, which he noted was beneficial to the local economy. However, he also reminded Vermonters that Vance was on a personal trip with his young children and called for civility.

Despite the protests, reports indicate that counter-protesters supporting Trump and Vance were also present in Waitsfield. Meanwhile, demonstrations extended beyond political disputes, as protesters also gathered outside Tesla stores across the U.S. to challenge billionaire Elon Musk’s push to cut government spending. Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has been appointed by Trump to oversee the Department of Government Efficiency, widely referred to as “Doge.”

Following the tense meeting at the White House, Zelensky traveled to the UK, where he was welcomed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. On Sunday, he joined European leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in London for a summit focused on ending the war in Ukraine and strengthening European security.

Ahead of the summit, Starmer stated that the UK and France would collaborate with Ukraine to develop a plan for ceasing hostilities with Russia before presenting it to the U.S. He positioned himself as a diplomatic intermediary, aiming to ease tensions following the White House confrontation.

When asked about the dispute between Trump, Vance, and Zelensky, Starmer played down the incident, acknowledging that “nobody wants to see that” and admitting he felt “uncomfortable” watching the exchange. However, he emphasized his goal of acting as a “bridge” between the two sides in pursuit of a resolution.

With tensions mounting both domestically and internationally, the fallout from the Oval Office clash continues to reverberate across the U.S. and beyond, as world leaders seek common ground on the Ukraine conflict.