Nate Vance, a former U.S. Marine and cousin of Vice President JD Vance, has publicly condemned his relative and former President Donald Trump, accusing them of acting as “Vladimir Putin’s useful idiots” due to their stance on Ukraine.
Vance, who volunteered to fight in Ukraine’s ‘Da Vinci Wolves’ First Motorized Battalion, served on the front lines from 2022 until early 2025. His comments come after a heated Oval Office meeting on February 28, 2025, where Trump and JD Vance confronted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ultimately leading to a suspension of U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
Frustration with His Cousin’s Actions
Speaking out in an interview, Nate expressed deep disappointment that his cousin never sought his insights from the battlefield before making policy decisions.
“His own cousin was on the front lines. I could have told him the truth, but he never tried to find out more.”
He further warned that the U.S. risks being perceived as enabling Russian interests if it continues to withhold support from Ukraine.
Sharp Criticism of U.S. Policy on Russia
Vance did not hold back in his criticism of the Trump-Vance administration, stating that attempts to appease Putin are misguided.
“You don’t negotiate with a dictator who has repeatedly shown that he does not stop. Weakness invites aggression.”
He emphasized that his loyalties lie with his fellow fighters in Ukraine, rather than with his cousin or any political party.
Background and Context
Nate Vance's statements come amid growing tensions over U.S. foreign policy. Trump and JD Vance have both argued against continued military aid to Ukraine, framing it as an unnecessary involvement in a foreign conflict. However, Nate, having fought in Ukraine himself, believes that stance undermines both U.S. credibility and global stability.
Despite their familial ties, the two Vances now stand on opposite sides of a major international issue—with Nate directly calling out his cousin for prioritizing political calculations over reality on the ground.
As the debate over Ukraine aid continues, Nate Vance’s powerful rebuke has added to the growing divide within the Republican Party over America’s role in global conflicts.