US Vice President Vance Warns Zelensky “Badmouthing” Trump Could Backfire

Earlier in the day, Zelensky remarked that Trump’s recent comments suggest the American president may be living in a “Russian disinformation” space.

Several hours later, Trump criticized Zelensky for his unwillingness to hold elections, called him a “dictator” and also suggested that the Ukrainian leader wants to keep the “gravy train” going amid the grinding conflict with Russia.

“The idea that Zelensky is going to change the president’s mind by badmouthing him in public media, everyone who knows the president will tell you that is an atrocious way to deal with this administration,” Vance was quoted as saying in an interview.

Vance said he believes Zelensky’s advisers provided him with “bad advice” regarding how to engage with the Trump administration, and for the past three years, they have led him to believe that he could do no wrong.

“That is the policy of the President of the United States. It is not based on Russian disinformation. It’s based on the fact that Donald Trump, I think, knows a lot about geopolitics and has a very strong view, and has had a strong view for a very long time,” Vance said.