Vice President JD Vance reportedly said Thursday that if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not accept a peace agreement with Ukraine that ensures Kyiv’s long-term independence, the United States would impose sanctions on Moscow and possibly take military action.
Vance struck a significantly harder tone than Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who on Wednesday implied the U.S. wouldn’t commit soldiers, by saying that the possibility of sending U.S. troops to Ukraine if Moscow failed to talk in good faith remained “on the table.”
According to Vance, President Trump would have a lot of negotiation options with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky if the United States pursued a variety of actions.
The vice president’s comments, which were made the day before a meeting with Zelensky, provided the Trump administration’s most robust backing to date for Kyiv against Russian calls for it to disarm and overthrow the current government.
Trump assured reporters on Thursday that Ukraine will participate in negotiations with Russia, which was one of Zelensky’s main demands.
Trump, however, also stated that Russia should be permitted to rejoin the Group of Seven, a group of wealthy nations, and that Russia could not permit Ukraine to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Vance will give a speech on Friday at the Munich Security Conference, which brings together world leaders to talk about common concerns.
He argued that by refusing to cooperate with populist parties, allied European leaders are suppressing democracy and free expression.
European leaders vying for bilateral meetings with Vance believed the Trump administration’s first high-level visit would provide information on the strategy to end the war in Ukraine and start a new level of cooperation with the U.S. during a time of global unrest.
Vance said he would instead advise European leaders to restrict progressive policies, stop mass migration, and embrace the development of antiestablishment parties.
He declared that he will advocate for the restoration of traditional values and the eradication of migrant criminality.
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