Nate Vance, the cousin of Vice President JD Vance, recently criticized him for his approach to a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his stance on the situation in Ukraine.
During a CNN appearance on Monday, Nate Vance shared childhood photos of himself with JD Vance before expressing his concerns about the vice president’s strategy regarding the Ukraine conflict.
In a separate interview with Le Figaro, he accused both former President Donald Trump and JD Vance of trying to win favor with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“It’s clear that Donald Trump and my cousin believe they can appease Vladimir Putin. They are mistaken,” Nate Vance stated. “The Russians will not forget our support for Ukraine. We are merely useful fools for Vladimir Putin.”
Both Nate and JD Vance come from military families, as their fathers were brothers who served in the U.S. Marines.
JD Vance has responded to the claims made by his cousin, Nate.
The Vice President addressed the allegations during an interview with DailyMail.com, politely denying some of Nate’s assertions, particularly those regarding attempts to reach out to him. “I always thought Nate was the toughest guy I knew, and I still like him despite what he says about me. I’m always happy to talk to him,” JD Vance stated.
He expressed curiosity about why Nate chose to contact his Senate office rather than reaching out to family members, such as his mother, father, or sister, with whom JD communicates regularly. “I don’t know why Nate decided to go through my Senate office instead of his family,” he remarked.
Additionally, the Vice President revealed that he intentionally refrained from discussing Nate’s service in Ukraine publicly to protect him from potential danger. “I never talked publicly about my cousin Nate’s service in Ukraine because I love him and didn’t want to put his life at greater risk than it already was,” JD Vance explained.
Nate Vance expressed strong criticism of Russia during his appearance on CNN, asserting that both Donald Trump and JD Vance misinterpret the Kremlin’s intentions.
“They have no hesitation in undermining an American president or vice president. They don’t care what we think,” he warned. “For at least a generation, they are not and will never be our allies.”
Nate has previously voiced his discontent with his cousin. In a January interview on The Real Jim Morris Show, he reflected on his experiences in Ukraine and his decision to fight alongside Ukrainian forces. “Looking back, I realize I was a fool. My plan was essentially ‘f**k it, I’ll figure it out when I get there,’” he admitted.
He also acknowledged that his adventurous spirit played a role in his choice to go to Ukraine. “It’s somewhat disingenuous for anyone to claim that adventure isn’t part of the equation. You’re not being honest,” he stated.
However, after considering the potential security risks his presence in Ukraine posed to JD Vance, he ultimately decided to return to the United States. “If something were to happen to me, the vice president would be thinking, ‘One of my g***damn relatives is a captive,’” Nate explained. “That would hinder his ability to act.”
Nate Vance is currently working on a book about his experiences in Ukraine, despite his criticisms of his cousin, JD Vance. He acknowledged that JD accurately portrayed their childhood in Hillbilly Elegy, but he also noted that his early years were more challenging than the book suggests. “If you want my honest opinion, any dishonesty lies in making it seem better than it actually was,” he remarked.
Nate is in the process of completing his manuscript, which focuses on the ongoing conflict with Russia. He is actively seeking a publisher and literary agent. “I’m about 99 percent finished. I’ve written around 85,000 words,” he shared. “I’m kind of living the last chapter, which makes it difficult to wrap things up.”
Despite the public disagreements, JD Vance has stated that he maintains a close personal relationship with Nate. However, their differing views on the Ukraine conflict and American foreign policy indicate a significant rift between them.