JD Vance has sparked controversy by dismissing the UK as “some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 years,” while criticizing plans to send 20,000 British and French troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping mission. The US Vice President argued that the best way to ensure long-term peace in the region is by securing economic benefits for America.
Speaking on Fox News, Vance said, “If you want real security guarantees, if you actually want to make sure Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine again, the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine. That is a way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years.”
He also insisted that Trump’s approach is the only viable strategy, saying, “The only guy in town with a strategy is the President of the United States, and everybody needs to follow his lead.”
Despite Vance’s claims, the UK government reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine, stating on Tuesday that it is working closely with key allies to maintain stability following Trump’s suspension of US military aid.
His remarks also ignore the UK’s long history of military involvement. Since 1980, British troops have been deployed in various global conflicts, often alongside the US. Many British soldiers lost their lives supporting US-led campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan in the early 2000s. The UK also played a key role in the Gulf War, joining the US in a bombing campaign against Iraq in 1991, which continued for a decade before the 2003 invasion.
In his interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Vance also commented on the recent tension between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during their public exchange in Washington. He claimed the discussion “really set Zelensky off,” suggesting that the Ukrainian leader was unwilling to commit to Trump’s peace plan.
“That’s the real breakdown. I think Zelensky wasn’t yet there. And frankly, still isn’t there. But I think he’ll get there eventually; he has to,” Vance said.
He also confirmed that Ukrainian officials attempted to restart talks after their White House visit, but Trump dismissed these efforts. Vance accused Zelensky of having a “sense of entitlement” when the US temporarily withheld aid.
A White House spokesperson later stated that US assistance to Ukraine is being “paused and reviewed” to ensure it is part of a broader peace solution. The official added that Trump is focused on forging a peace deal and expects Zelensky to be “fully committed” to this goal.
