Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticised US Vice President JD Vance, accusing him of “somehow justifying” Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.
The remarks mark Zelenskyy’s most pointed comments toward Vance since their Oval Office spat in February.
According to a Politico report, citing an interview with the US news program 60 Minutes, Zelenskyy suggested that certain officials within the US government were being influenced by Russian disinformation, promoting a distorted narrative about the origins of the war.
“I believe, sadly, Russian narratives are prevailing in the US,” he said, according to a translation of his remarks by CBS.
“This speaks to the enormous influence of Russia’s information policy on America, on US politics and US politicians,” Zelenskyy added.
Zelenskyy singled out Vance, accusing him of “somehow justifying Putin’s actions.”
“I tried to explain, ‘You can’t look for something in the middle. There is an aggressor and there is a victim. The Russians are the aggressor, and we are the victim,’" he added, referring to their tense conversation at the White House in February.
During that meeting, Vice President Vance criticised President Zelenskyy as “disrespectful” for asserting that Moscow would not honour a negotiated ceasefire, and reprimanded him for what he perceived as a lack of gratitude for American assistance.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsWhen Zelenskyy extended an invitation for Vance to visit Ukraine and witness the devastation caused by Russia firsthand, the vice president dismissed the offer, accusing him of organising a “propaganda tour.”
With inputs from agencies


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