Photo: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstochk
2 March 2025, Washington, DC – Large-scale pro-Ukrainian protests have taken place across the United States following a high-profile exchange between US President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. According to the BBC, thousands of Americans took to the streets to express their support for Ukraine and their outrage at the rhetoric of the US administration.
Hundreds of people gathered in New York, Los Angeles and Boston, holding Ukrainian flags and placards with the words “Supporting Ukraine is our duty” and “Stop the Kremlin”.
A separate protest took place in the town of Waitsfield, Vermont, where Vice President Vance had arrived with his family for a skiing holiday. Demonstrators lined the road, condemning Vance’s behaviour during the negotiations in the White House. The demonstration forced the vice president’s family to change their place of residence.
“I think Trump and Vance’s speech on Friday only encouraged more people to come out to protest,” Judy Daly of Indivisible Mad River Valley told Vermont Public Radio.
“[Vance] crossed the line,” added protester Corey Giroux.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott, who had previously refused to support Trump, called on citizens to exercise restraint: “While we may disagree with each other, we have to show respect.”
At the same time, counter-protesters supporting Trump and Vance were also present in Vermont.
On Saturday, protests spread to Tesla stores across the country. The demonstrators were opposed to Elon Musk’s plans to cut government spending, as Trump has instructed the billionaire to oversee the newly created Department of Government Effectiveness (Doge).
During a meeting at the White House, Trump urged Zelenskyy to make a deal with Russia, saying: “Otherwise, we’re leaving”. He also accused the Ukrainian president of not being grateful enough for US support and warned of the risks of “roulette with World War III”.
J.D. Vance accused Zelenskyy of “disrespect” and attempting to discuss the details of the negotiations in front of journalists.
In response to the tensions over Ukraine, President Zelenskyy is already preparing to join a summit in London hosted by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Ahead of the meeting, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves signed a £2.26 billion ($2.84 billion) loan agreement to continue military support for Ukraine and further rebuild the country.
