Protesters in Vermont lined the road that Vice President JD Vance was expected to travel after his heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. They held pro-Ukraine signs along the route in Waitsfield, where Vance and his family planned to ski.
Reports indicated that the family moved to an undisclosed location instead of the planned resort due to the protests. Demonstrations also took place in New York, Los Angeles, and Boston on Saturday, showing solidarity with Ukraine following the fiery confrontation. In the Oval Office, Vance criticized Zelensky for being disrespectful to the US, while Trump clashed with the Ukrainian leader, urging him to strike a deal with Russia and accusing him of escalating tensions. The protest in Waitsfield had been organized earlier in the week, but many signs reflected the recent dispute and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. “I think Friday’s performance at the White House likely inspired even more people to come out today,” said Judy Daly from the group Indivisible Mad River Valley, which organized the protest. “Vance crossed the line,” added protester Cori Giroux. Vermont’s Republican Governor Phil Scott had previously urged respect for Vance and his family, emphasizing that they were visiting Vermont for a family trip. Vance, who has young children, has not publicly addressed the protests. Counter-protesters supporting Trump and Vance also gathered in Waitsfield. On the same day, there were protests outside Tesla stores in the US in response to Elon Musk’s efforts to reduce government spending. Following the White House meeting, Zelensky traveled to the UK, where he met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and joined other European leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for a summit aimed at discussing ways to end the war and secure Europe. Starmer acknowledged feeling uncomfortable about the White House altercation but downplayed its significance.
