Pro-Ukraine protests erupt across US following Trump-Vance clash with Zelenskyy

Pro-Ukraine protesters gathered in Boston, Massachusetts, on Saturday. (Image: BBC/Shutterstock)

Pro-Ukraine protests have swept across multiple U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Boston, following a heated confrontation between President Donald Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. According to a BBC report, demonstrators rallied in support of Ukraine in response to the tense Oval Office exchange.

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In Vermont, protesters holding pro-Ukraine signs gathered along a road in Waitsfield, where Vice-President Vance and his family were on a ski holiday. BBC, citing U.S. media reports, noted that the family moved to an undisclosed location from their planned resort due to the demonstrations.

A protest against the Trump-Vance administration had already been planned in Waitsfield earlier in the week, but the White House dispute appeared to fuel further public outrage. "I think [Friday's] performance at the White House has probably galvanized even more people to come out today," Judy Daly of Indivisible Mad River Valley, the group behind the protest, told Vermont Public Radio, as cited by BBC. Another protester, Cori Giroux, said Vance had "crossed the line."

Vermont’s Republican Governor Phil Scott, who has distanced himself from Trump, urged residents to be respectful toward the vice-president’s family. "I welcome the vice-president and his family to Vermont and hope they enjoy their weekend here," he said, adding that while political disagreements exist, "we should be respectful."

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Meanwhile, counter-protesters supporting Trump and Vance were also present in Waitsfield.

Elsewhere in the U.S., demonstrators gathered outside Tesla stores on Saturday to protest against billionaire CEO Elon Musk, who has been appointed by President Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, commonly known as Doge. The protests were sparked by Musk’s push to slash government spending.

Friday’s Oval Office exchange saw Trump tell Zelensky to strike a deal with Russia "or we are out," warning that the Ukrainian leader was "gambling with World War Three." Trump also accused Zelensky of lacking gratitude for U.S. military and political aid. Vance further criticized Zelensky for being "disrespectful" and for "litigating" the war in front of the media.

Zelensky is set to join European leaders in London on Sunday for a summit on the Ukraine war, hosted by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Ahead of the meeting, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves signed a £2.26 billion ($2.84 billion) loan agreement with Ukraine to support military aid and future reconstruction efforts.