Vice President J.D. Vance appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press, sparking intense debate over his views on Ukraine and former President Donald Trump’s foreign policy. Vance expressed optimism about an end to the war in Ukraine, citing “significant concessions” made by both sides and predicting a possible deal within weeks.
He credited Trump’s diplomatic efforts and economic pressure on Russia, contrasting it with President Joe Biden’s approach. However, his response to moderator Kristen Welker’s questions on whether Moscow was manipulating Trump in peace talks drew sharp criticism from conservatives, who accused her of “steamrolling” him.
Progressives countered that Welker had successfully pinned Vance down on the issue, particularly regarding Trump’s alleged raid on former national security adviser John Bolton. The exchange highlighted the high stakes for both Vance and Welker, with Vance seeking to project loyalty and optimism as Trump pushes for a Ukraine deal, while Welker faces challenges in cutting through partisan filters as moderator.
Source: https://www.salon.com/2025/08/24/vance-and-welker-exchange-sparks-dueling-narratives-online