Vice President JD Vance responded to Joe Biden’s recent critique regarding a notable meeting with Ukrainian President Voldy Mee Zelensky, labeling the former president’s foreign policy as a “complete disaster.”
“Honestly, it’s a bit rich for Joe Biden to comment on our actions concerning Russia and Ukraine,” Vance told Fox News anchor Martha McCallum on “The Story” on Thursday.
“Since Biden took office, Russia has aggressively invaded Ukraine. I really don’t care what he thinks about American foreign policy, considering much of what he did has been a total mess.”
During a BBC interview earlier this week—his first since leaving office in January—Biden criticized President Donald Trump regarding Vance’s meeting with Zelensky.
In addition to rebutting Biden’s statements, Vance reiterated the Trump administration’s backing of Ukrainian sovereignty while also suggesting that the U.S. might scale back its role in peace negotiations.
“We definitely want Ukraine to stay sovereign,” he remarked.
“We understood from the beginning that the Russians would have exaggerated offers. Negotiations typically involve that back and forth. It doesn’t really bother me.”
He expressed concern that if it turned out the Russians were not negotiating sincerely, it could pose larger issues.
Despite Russia’s recent rejection of a ceasefire proposal, Vance maintained a cautiously optimistic outlook on peace talks.
“I believe we’re making progress on the topics being discussed,” he noted.
“There is a concrete peace plan currently on the table.”
Vance also highlighted his efforts in fostering global trade, mentioning the first formal tariff agreement reached with the UK.
Earlier this year, under the Trump administration, a 10% reciprocal tariff on UK imports was introduced, alongside additional tariffs on global products like steel and vehicles.
“It’s a privilege to have Britain as our first announcement, given our shared history and loyalty,” Trump noted about the agreement.
Vance indicated that Britain was prioritized due to its openness and strong ties with the current administration.
He acknowledged the challenges of adjusting global trade with China, which has responded with its own unexpected tariffs, but affirmed the administration’s commitment.
“We’ll continue discussions. Let’s see what comes from it,” he said.
“The goal is to create better positioning for American businesses, no matter who we’re dealing with—be it China or anyone else,” Vance added, expressing confidence that this aim is “very achievable.”
Shifting focus to domestic issues, Vance talked about ongoing initiatives related to Doge, even as Elon Musk has stepped back from daily involvement.
“Eron hasn’t gone anywhere,” Vance stated.
He confirmed that Attorney General Pam Bondy is gearing up for a major fraud investigation, which may lead to a lawsuit.
“I know she’s building a case against those who have defrauded Americans. There will be developments on that front in the coming years,” he mentioned.
When asked about supposed tensions between him and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vance dismissed those claims, despite both being potential successors to Trump’s legacy.
“Marco is really my best friend, maybe within my administration,” he said.
“We always spend time together, and he does a fantastic job, just as I strive to do my best.”
Yet, Vance did not entirely dismiss the idea of running for president in 2028.
“I plan to focus on delivering solid work for the next 1,100 days, and then let Americans decide where to go from there,” he concluded.
