Nate Vance, who reportedly spent three years defending Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, has strongly criticized his cousin, JD Vance, and former President Donald Trump, accusing them of being "Vladimir Putin’s useful idiots" following the U.S. suspension of military aid to Ukraine.
Vance, who returned to the United States in January after fighting in Ukraine, condemned JD Vance’s treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a contentious Oval Office meeting last month. JD Vance allegedly "ambushed" Zelensky, publicly challenging him over U.S. military aid and accusing him of being ungrateful.
“Donald Trump and my cousin clearly believe they can appease Vladimir Putin. They are wrong. The Russians will not forget our support for Ukraine,” Nate Vance told Le Figaro. He expressed frustration that JD Vance disregarded Ukraine’s dire situation, despite his own close family member’s firsthand experience on the front lines.
Nate Vance traveled to Ukraine in early 2022, just weeks after Russia launched its invasion. He became part of the "Da Vinci Wolves" battalion, reportedly participating in some of the war’s most intense battles. Meanwhile, JD Vance has been openly critical of U.S. support for Kyiv, even stating before the invasion: “I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine.”
Last month, JD Vance confronted Zelensky in the Oval Office, questioning whether he had even expressed gratitude for the extensive U.S. military aid. “Have you said thank you once?” he demanded, accusing Zelensky of using the American media to press for more assistance.
Nate Vance denounced his cousin’s stance, acknowledging JD’s intelligence but accusing him of manipulating the situation for political gain. “I initially thought his criticism of Ukraine was just political posturing to appeal to a certain electorate,” he said. “But what they did to Zelensky was an ambush in absolute bad faith.”
He further argued that Ukraine had effectively used the military support it had received, countering JD Vance’s skepticism. He was particularly frustrated that his cousin relied on secondhand reports rather than seeking insight from someone with firsthand experience. “When JD justified his distrust of Zelensky by citing ‘reports’ he had read, I almost choked. His own cousin was on the front lines. I could have told him the truth, directly, without bias. But he never reached out.”
Nate Vance also revealed that he had attempted to contact his cousin’s office but never received a response.
His departure from Ukraine in January coincided with his cousin assuming the vice presidency. He explained that staying in Ukraine had become increasingly difficult and dangerous. “I couldn’t take the risk of being captured,” he said.
The criticism from Nate Vance highlights the deep divisions within the U.S. over its role in supporting Ukraine, even among close family members. As Trump and JD Vance advocate for reducing military aid and pressuring Kyiv into negotiations with Moscow, Nate Vance’s perspective serves as a stark contrast, shaped by his direct experience on the battlefield.
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