JD Vance tells how he joked to 'break the ice' before Trump-Zelenskyy meeting

During the interview, Vance was asked how he managed to "break the ice" after the scandal that erupted at the White House on February 28.

In response, Vance recalled that when Zelenskyy had already entered the Oval Office, the Vice President spoke with him and some other members of the Ukrainian delegation. Vance even tried to make a joke.

"I said, 'Mr. President, so long as you behave, I won't say anything.' And he just chuckled a little bit. It was a good little icebreaker," the US Vice President said.

The Oval Office dispute between Trump and Zelenskyy

On February 28, Zelenskyy arrived at the White House to meet Trump. That day, they were expected to sign a framework agreement on mineral resources between the two countries. However, while answering questions from journalists, a scandal broke out between the leaders. In particular, Trump stated that Ukraine would not be able to win the war, stressing the shortage of personnel in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, after which he called on Kyiv to cease hostilities.

In response, Zelenskyy accused Russia of failing to comply with previous agreements, which irritated Trump. The US President then accused the Ukrainian leader of playing with World War III, and Vice President JD Vance also joined the heated exchange.

The situation caused a huge outcry worldwide. After the Oval Office scandal, European leaders sided with Ukraine and issued public statements. At the same time, a number of European officials tried to conciliate the parties.

Zelenskyy and Trump’s White House meeting on August 18

On August 18, Donald Trump held talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, after which both presidents met with European leaders.

During the meeting with Zelenskyy at the White House, Trump stated that the US would be involved in providing security guarantees. He promised to give Ukraine "very good protection" together with Europe.