Pro-Ukraine protesters have confronted US Vice President JD Vance after reportedly bumping into him in a “chance encounter” while on their way to a rally. The incident in Cincinnati, Ohio was captured on camera. Protesters told Mr Vance: “Russia won’t settle.” “Exactly,” Mr Vance replied. “They certainly invaded Ukraine in 2022.” A protester retorted: “And 2014, and Georgia and Chechnya! They are the aggressor every time.”
“I understand that that’s your view,” the VP said. Someone replied: “No, that’s not our view. It’s the truth!” Later in the clip, Mr Vance said: “I’m speaking with you, and I’m trying to be respectful. I have condemned the invasion, but I’ve also condemned the perpetual war. That is the policy.” Interrupting, a protester said: “You also condemned Trump.” The VP continued: “And I’ve talked to you guys now.” A woman then asked Mr Vance: “What happened when you called Trump America’s Hitler? What changed?”
He replied: “Ma’am, now that’s a different question. I’m happy….would you like me to talk about how I’ve changed my view of Donald Trump from 10 years ago?”
Later in the clip, a protester says: “People are dying.”
Vance says: “What I told the gentleman earlier is that we think it’s in the best interest of our country, and, frankly, in the best interests of the Ukrainians, for the war to stop.”
Mr Vance seemed to plead with the group not to disturb his three year old daughter.
At least one of the protesters reportedly told him that it was “part of his job”.
“Look at my three year old daughter now,” Vance said. “I told you. I talked to you for five minutes.”
“You signed up for this job,” a person can be heard saying. “That’s what you agreed to.”
Vance replied: “I did not agree to have my three year old, to have people run around and yell at her, and I did talk to you. And I had said, ‘If I talk to you for a few minutes, will you leave my three year old daughter alone?’ and you said, ‘Yes’.
“So I’d like you guys to respect that.”
Vance said on X after the incident: “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.
“I decided to speak with the protesters in the hopes that I could trade a few minutes of conversation for them leaving my toddler alone. (Nearly all of them agreed.)
“It was a mostly respectful conversation, but if you’re chasing a 3-year-old as part of a political protest, you’re a s*** person.”
