JD Vance responds to cousin who called him and Trump Vladimir Putin’s ‘useful idiots’ over Ukraine stance

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Vice President JD Vance has responded to sharp criticism from his cousin Nate Vance over his position on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Nate, a volunteer fighter for Ukraine, criticized JD’s comments on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to the White House.

He also disagreed with JD’s support for US President Donald Trump’s approach, arguing it would never appease Russian President Vladimir Putin. Frustrated by what he saw as a lack of communication, Nate expressed disappointment that the Vice President never reached out to him for insight based on his firsthand experience in Ukraine.

JD Vance addresses criticism from cousin Nate Vance

In a statement shared with Fox News Digital, Vice President JD Vance explained that he never publicly discussed his cousin Nate's service, stating that he "didn't want to endanger his life more than it already was." 

The vice president further clarified that he had no interest in arguing with Nate publicly, saying, "As far as his criticisms, I have no interest in arguing with him in public." 

However, he said he did feel compelled to address one specific issue: Nate’s attempt to contact him. "But I do feel the need to address one issue in particular: his failed effort to contact me," he said.

"I am unsure why Nate felt the need to reach out to my Senate office, rather than to his mom, dad, or sister, all of whom I am in contact with regularly," he added.

The vice president concluded his statement by saying that he has always considered Nate "the toughest guy [he] knew" and that he is "always happy to talk to him."

Nate Vance’s criticism of JD Vance after WH showdown with Volodymyr Zelensky

In a recent interview with the French publication Le Figaro on Sunday, March 9, Nate Vance sharply criticized his cousin, Vice President JD Vance, regarding a heated exchange between him, President Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last month. 

While Nate described JD as a "good guy" and "intelligent," he condemned the conversation as "an ambush of absolute bad faith." 

He went on to say, "Just because I'm related to you doesn't mean I'm going to stand by and watch you get my comrades killed. When JD justifies his distrust of Zelensky by the 'reports' he has seen, I thought I was going to choke."

Nate was also upset by JD’s remarks as he called the Ukrainian leader "disrespectful" and suggested that he "should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end" to the Russia-Ukraine war.

He strongly disagreed, stating, "Donald Trump and my cousin clearly believe they can placate Vladimir Putin.  They are wrong. The Russians are not about to forget our support for Ukraine. We are Vladimir Putin’s useful idiots."

Nate also revealed that he had left messages with JD’s office, offering his perspective as someone who has fought on the front lines in Ukraine. "I could have told him the truth, without pretense, without personal interest. He never tried to find out more," Nate said. 

The following day on CNN’s 'Erin Burnett OutFront', Nate continued his criticism, expressing his surprise at the public confrontation in the Oval Office. 

"There‘s a certain level of decorum that should be reached. And, you know, I‘m not naive enough to think that, you know, national leaders don’t debate behind closed doors," he said. 

He added, "But when you do that and you publicly, you know, kind of ridicule someone in public that they have to almost defend themselves…it was really disappointing to see it for me."