JD Vance Confronted by Pro-Ukrainian Protesters While Walking with Toddler Daughter

Vice President JD Vance claimed on Saturday that he and his 3-year-old daughter had an unsettling encounter with a group of pro-Ukrainian protesters. According to Vance, the group followed them while chanting "Slava Ukraini," a popular Ukrainian slogan meaning "Glory to Ukraine."

Vance shared his account on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "Today while walking my 3-year-old daughter, a group of 'Slava Ukraini' protesters followed us around and shouted as my daughter grew increasingly anxious and scared." In response, Vance said he attempted to engage with the protesters, hoping to calm the situation and spare his daughter further distress. He noted that most of the protesters were willing to have a "mostly respectful conversation." However, Vance didn’t hold back his feelings, stating, "If you’re chasing a 3-year-old as part of a political protest, you’re a s--- person."

The timing of the confrontation comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine. The past week has seen the Trump administration halt both intelligence-sharing and financial aid to Ukraine, following a fiery Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump, Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The meeting reportedly soured over disagreements about a peace deal with Russia, with Zelenskyy expressing distrust toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. The U.S. administration, in turn, accused Zelenskyy of lacking gratitude for past support. The fallout from the meeting included Zelenskyy's abrupt dismissal from the White House and the cancellation of a scheduled news conference.

Vance, in the controversial meeting, brought up Ukraine’s manpower and military recruitment struggles, to which Zelenskyy fired back, saying, "War means everybody has problems, even you." The heated exchange ended with Trump warning Zelenskyy not to dictate how the U.S. might feel the effects of the war in the future.

As tensions between the countries simmer, protests seem to be following Vance. Just last weekend, he faced similar hostility while on a ski trip in Vermont with his family. Protesters reportedly called him a "traitor" and sarcastically suggested he "go ski in Russia."

Liberal commentator Tim Miller criticized Vance’s reaction to the protesters via social media, writing, "Dozens are dead in Ukraine because you stopped giving them the intelligence that protected the country from bombs, so you can probably handle some yelling in a free country, boss."

Meanwhile, Trump appears to be navigating a delicate balance in the ongoing crisis. On Friday, he hinted at the possibility of "large-scale" sanctions against Russia to pressure both sides into securing a peace deal. "Get to the table right now, before it is too late," Trump urged in a Truth Social post.

The saga underscores the increasingly personal nature of global geopolitics, as high-stakes negotiations spill into unexpected places—like a casual walk with a toddler or a family ski vacation. Whether this is a sign of political passion or a lack of decorum is up for debate.