U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should express gratitude to the United States for its support rather than voicing public dissatisfaction. According to Vance, without America's generosity, neither Zelensky nor Ukraine would continue to exist.

“President Zelensky and his country would cease to exist without the generosity of the United States of America. So let him thank you. If he disagrees with President Trump, let him pick up the phone and call him or our talented diplomats, and not go on a media tour of Europe criticizing the President of the United States. This is offensive - to him, to me, to the American people. And, by the way, that's stupid," Vance told reporters on the sidelines of the conservative CPAC conference currently underway in the U.S. capital.

Previously, Trump had publicly criticized Zelensky for his remarks about Washington, referring to him as a "dictator without an election" and emphasizing that Ukraine would not be able to secure a peace agreement with Russia without American intervention. He also accused Kyiv of mishandling a substantial portion of U.S. aid.

Vance stated that Zelensky’s public criticisms of Trump would not influence the former president's stance. Instead, he advised the Ukrainian leader to engage in direct discussions with the White House.