JD Vance's Vermont Ski Trip Marred by Protests and Zelenskyy Clash

Vice President JD Vance's family ski trip to Vermont over the weekend was anything but peaceful, as hundreds of protesters lined the streets near Sugarbush Resort in Warren, where the Vance family was vacationing. The protests were sparked by a heated Oval Office exchange between Vance, President Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which took place the day before.

The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy was supposed to focus on a minerals deal and negotiations over a ceasefire agreement with Russia. However, the meeting quickly turned contentious when Vance berated Zelenskyy for challenging Trump's assertions that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be trusted. Vance accused Zelenskyy of being "disrespectful" and not showing enough gratitude for U.S. support.

The protests in Vermont were organized by various groups, including the Mad River Valley chapter of the activist group Indivisible. Many protesters held signs in support of Ukraine, while others waved Palestinian flags or signs in support of immigrant rights. Some protesters even suggested that Vance should "ski Russia" instead of Vermont.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, issued a statement on Thursday welcoming Vance and his family to the state and asking residents to do the same, despite political differences. However, the protests indicate that not all Vermonters were happy with the vice president's presence in their state.

The protests also highlighted the growing divide between those who support U.S. involvement in the Ukraine conflict and those who are skeptical of American intervention. A recent poll by the Pew Research Center found that a majority of Americans (57%) believe the U.S. should do more to support Ukraine, while 39% think the U.S. is doing enough or should do less.

Vance's comments during the Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy have drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle. Some Republicans have praised Vance for standing up for Trump and the U.S., while Democrats and some foreign policy experts have criticized Vance for his aggressive stance towards Ukraine and his lack of support for the country.

As vice president, Vance has been a vocal advocate for Trump's "America First" agenda and has taken a more isolationist approach to foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine. His relationship with Trump has emboldened him to take a more aggressive stance in diplomatic negotiations, as seen in his interactions with European leaders at the Munich Security Conference and his tangle with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at a White House meeting.

In conclusion, JD Vance's family ski trip to Vermont was marred by protests and criticism following his heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The protests highlighted the growing divide between those who support U.S. involvement in the Ukraine conflict and those who are skeptical of American intervention. Vance's comments have drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle, and his relationship with Trump has emboldened him to take a more aggressive stance in diplomatic negotiations.