Vice President J.D. Vance delivered a direct response Thursday to former President Joe Biden’s public criticism of the Trump administration’s foreign policy, focusing particularly on U.S. relations with Ukraine and Russia. The comments came during an appearance on Fox News, where Vance addressed Biden’s recent remarks on ABC’s The View and in a separate BBC interview.
Biden, in his first live television appearance since leaving office earlier this year, made several statements aimed at his successor and the broader foreign policy strategy of the current administration. During the View interview, the former president reflected on the 2024 election and Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss, stating he was “not surprised” by the result. He attributed the outcome to what he described as a “sexist route,” though he affirmed Harris’ qualifications for the presidency.
In discussing broader political and global dynamics, Biden pointed to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and claimed it had a “phenomenal negative impact” on attitudes and political outcomes. He also criticized the Trump administration’s handling of diplomatic relations, especially with Ukraine, referencing a February Oval Office meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and senior Trump officials—including President Trump and Vice President Vance—as a “total disaster.”
Vance addressed the remarks during his appearance on The Story with Martha MacCallum, expressing skepticism toward Biden’s critiques. “I think it’s rich for Joe Biden to comment on anything that we’re doing when it comes to Russia and Ukraine,” Vance said, emphasizing that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces occurred under Biden’s leadership. He dismissed the former president’s input, suggesting the Trump administration has been working to undo what he called “disasters” left behind by the previous administration.
“So I wish Joe Biden the best,” Vance said. “I don’t really care what he has to say about American foreign policy, because so much of what he actually did was a total disaster.”
Vance further stated that a guiding principle for current foreign policy decisions is to take an opposite approach from that of the Biden administration. He emphasized the administration’s focus on resolving conflicts and addressing the consequences of earlier decisions. “He can spend his time on the beach or doing whatever Joe Biden does,” Vance added, “we’ll continue trying to fix the problems that he created.”
The exchange comes during a notable shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine. After months of negotiation, the Trump administration finalized an economic agreement with the Ukrainian government, signaling a strengthened bilateral relationship. Trump and Zelensky also met in person during the funeral of Pope Francis, where both leaders described the encounter as constructive.
In the days following the agreement, President Trump has taken a more cautious stance toward Russia, questioning President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to ongoing negotiations. Vice President Vance echoed those concerns, suggesting that the U.S. is prepared to take a step back from direct negotiations if signs emerge that Russia is not acting in good faith.
🚨 LMAO! JD Vance just RIPPED Joe Biden for commenting on Ukraine/Russia negotiations
“If we just did the OPPOSITE of what Joe Biden did, we’d have the most successful foreign policy of all time.”
“If we wanted to take advice from anybody on foreign policy, especially in… pic.twitter.com/rd7AbDQDso
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 8, 2025
“We obviously want Ukraine to remain a sovereign country,” Vance said. He acknowledged that initial proposals from Russia were expected to be ambitious but emphasized that such tactics are common in high-stakes negotiations. “What would bother me,” he added, “is if we conclude that the Russians are not engaging in the negotiation in good faith. And if that happens, yeah, we’re [going to] walk away.”
Despite ongoing tensions and policy disagreements, Vance reiterated that the United States remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s independence while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape involving Russia.
