Vance calls out Zelensky for ‘campaigning’ for Harris during 2024 election

As most of you probably know by now, the meeting between Ukrainian President Zelensky and President Trump went off the rails on live TV.

There was a bit more to this, with some of that fight coming from Vice President Vance over Zelensky’s activities with Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle.

The 2024 Campaign

During the campaign season, Zelensky met with both Trump and Harris, but it was an appearance in PA by Zelensky that was still bothering Vance.

Technically, the event was not billed as a campaign event, but most of us who saw it in real time thought it was rather suspicious that Zelensky would appear in PA during the campaign.

Zelensky tried to explain, stating, "I began my visit to the United States by expressing my gratitude to all the employees at the plant and by reaching agreements to expand cooperation between Pennsylvania and our Zaporizhzhia.

"It is in places like this where you can truly feel that the democratic world can prevail. Thanks to people like these—in Ukraine, in America, and in all partner countries—who work tirelessly to ensure that life is protected."

Off the Rails

The meeting at the White House was clearly headed down the wrong path when Vance told Zelensky that it was “disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.”

Trump sat quietly for most of it, but then he had heard enough, and berated Zelensky on live TV, stating, “You are in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel. We’re going to feel very good. We’re going to feel very good and very strong. You’re right now not in a very good position. You’ve allowed yourself to be in a very bad position…

“You’re gambling with World War III. And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should.”

When Zelensky tried to cut Vance off, accusing him of speaking too loudly, Trump went after him again, stating, “He’s not speaking loudly. Your country is in big trouble.” He continued, “Your country is in big trouble. You’re not winning, you’re not winning this. You have a damn good chance of coming out OK because of us.”

Vance Goes Off

As Trump and Zelensky were going off the rails, Vance made it clear what he thought of the Ukrainian president's appearance in PA. Vance questioned why Zelensky had not said “thank you once.” He then stated, “You went to Pennsylvania and campaigned for the opposition… Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America and the president who’s trying to save your country.”

What I really think got under Vance’s skin was Zelensky describing Vance as “too radical” in an interview after the visit, having also stated, “With this war, oftentimes, the deeper you look at it the less you understand. I’ve seen many leaders who were convinced they knew how to end it tomorrow, and as they waded deeper into it, they realized it’s not that simple.”

Even Speaker Johnson (R-LA) claimed the visit was election interference at the time, explaining that the PA stop “failed to include a single Republican because – on purpose – no Republicans were invited. The tour was clearly a partisan campaign event designed to help Democrats and is clearly election interference.”

There is a lot to unpack about this, but my biggest observation is that this never should have happened in live TV. This all should have been negotiated behind closed door before they ever came out to talk to the media. It was a bad look for both sides, but I would put the majority of the blame on Zelensky, who seems to think he has an open checkbook with this country. He needed to get knocked down a few rungs, and Trump did just that.