Brian Snyder/REUTERS
Donald Trump has handed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a fresh challenge ahead of their long-awaited peace summit confirming that Vice President JD Vance will participate in the talks.
According to Newsweek, Kyiv’s delegation had hoped Vance would be excluded after his combative performance during Zelensky’s last White House visit earlier this year. That meeting spiraled into what sources described as a “disaster” for Ukraine, marked by open hostility and embarrassment for the wartime leader.
But sources told the Daily Beast that Vance will, in fact, be present once again an outcome widely seen as a setback for Zelensky. The Politico Playbook was first to report the rumors of his inclusion.
During February’s tense exchange, Vance clashed bitterly with Zelensky, reportedly calling him “disrespectful” and demanding gratitude for U.S. assistance. “Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who’s trying to save your country,” Vance said at the time, provoking visible frustration from Trump, who looked “angry and dejected” throughout much of the meeting.
The encounter grew even more uncomfortable when conservative personality Brian Glenn pressed Zelensky on his choice of attire, asking why he wasn’t wearing a suit. Ultimately, the day’s remaining meetings were canceled, and Zelensky returned to Kyiv under a cloud of disappointment.
Observers now wonder whether the renewed face-off could undermine this week’s peace effort. Still, Zelensky is said to have prepared differently this time, with backing from key European allies, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The high-stakes summit comes as Trump attempts to carve out a bilateral peace framework with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a controversial move last week, Trump invited Putin to the U.S. for a highly publicized meeting in Alaska. The event drew global attention, but insiders suggest little substantive progress was made toward ending the war.
Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on their demands. Moscow insists on sovereignty over occupied Ukrainian territories and a halt to international involvement, while Kyiv continues to call for full restoration of its borders and lasting security guarantees.
As Zelensky braces for his second face-to-face with Trump and Vance this year, many will be watching to see whether the meeting moves closer to peace or repeats the acrimony of February’s confrontation.
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