US Vice President JD Vance has been receptive to firsthand accounts of Russia's war in Ukraine, according to his cousin Nate Vance, a former US Marine who volunteered to fight alongside Ukrainian forces. Speaking to TVP World, the veteran said their private discussions had influenced how the vice president addresses the conflict. "There are certain things I brought up to him that affected the way he speaks about the war right now," Nate Vance said. Despite their different experiences and views, he described his cousin as willing to consider evidence-based arguments. Nate Vance fought in Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, later publicly criticizing the Trump administration's approach to Kyiv. The differing opinions between the Vances come amid continuing tensions over Washington's support for Ukraine. However, Nate Vance stressed that his cousin does not have the final say over American foreign policy. "So, the real thing is convincing Donald Trump. But he has his ear."
