Vice President JD Vance drew significant attention during a Wednesday night interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham when he offered praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s communication style and shared details about his interactions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Speaking on August 20, 2025, Vance revealed he has spoken with Putin multiple times over the phone, despite never meeting the Russian leader in person. The vice president described Putin as more soft-spoken than American media portrayals suggest, characterizing him as deliberate and careful in his approach. Vance indicated that Putin fundamentally looks out for Russian interests as he sees them, while suggesting the Russian leader respects President Donald Trump because Trump similarly prioritizes American interests.
The interview gained additional scrutiny when Russia Today, the Russian state-controlled television network, shared clips of Vance’s comments on social media. The network, which has been banned in the United Kingdom, European Union, and Canada, suspended its activities in the United States following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in November 2022.
During the same appearance, Vance recounted his interaction with Zelensky before the Ukrainian president’s meeting with Trump on Monday, August 18. The vice president described telling Zelensky: “Mr. President, so long as you behave, I won’t say anything.” Vance characterized this as a good icebreaker, noting that Zelensky chuckled in response.
The comment sparked criticism on social media, with users describing Vance’s approach as condescending and disrespectful. This interaction occurred against the backdrop of previous tensions between Vance and Zelensky during a February 2025 Oval Office meeting, where Vance had accused the Ukrainian leader of insufficient gratitude for United States aid in combating Russia’s invasion.
Vance also provided details about Trump’s diplomatic approach during Monday’s multilateral talks with European leaders. He described a scene in the East Wing of the White House where Trump announced his intention to call Putin immediately after the meeting to gauge the Russian leader’s response to the discussions. According to Vance, European leaders suggested proper vetting and team preparation for the call, but Trump insisted on direct communication, asking about the time in Moscow and proceeding with the call.
The vice president praised what he described as Trump’s no-holds-barred diplomatic style, suggesting this approach contributed to progress in negotiations. Vance indicated that the administration has made more progress in three months than had been achieved in the previous three years regarding the conflict.
Regarding the ongoing negotiations, Vance outlined the fundamental positions of both sides. He explained that Ukraine seeks security guarantees and assurances against future Russian invasion, while Russia wants control over certain territories, most of which they currently occupy. The vice president suggested these represent the core issues requiring resolution in any potential agreement.
The interview occurred as diplomatic efforts continue following Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska the previous week, where the leaders failed to reach agreement on a Ukrainian ceasefire. Trump had claimed potential breakthroughs after Monday’s discussions with Zelensky and European leaders, where security guarantees were reportedly discussed and Zelensky agreed to a trilateral meeting involving Putin.
Vance emphasized that while Trump and Putin often disagree on issues and Trump has been critical of the Russian leader, the president remains willing to work with anyone to accomplish important goals for America. He identified stopping the killing in Ukraine as a shared objective among all parties involved in the negotiations.
The vice president’s comments came as Russia continued its military operations in Ukraine, with recent attacks involving more than 600 drones and missiles targeting various Ukrainian cities. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the Kremlin has remained noncommittal about a peace summit between Putin and Zelensky, with Russian officials suggesting they require assurances that Ukraine will meet Russia’s demands before agreeing to direct talks.
The interview highlighted the complex diplomatic dynamics surrounding efforts to end the conflict, with Vance indicating that while details are being worked out between Russian and Ukrainian representatives, significant challenges remain in bridging the gap between incompatible positions on territorial concessions and security arrangements.
