During a recent interview, Vance addressed the complexity of upcoming discussions, emphasizing Ukraine's sovereignty as central to any agreements.
Vance Emphasizes Multifaceted Approach to Pressure Russia Over Ukraine Conflict
Vance Emphasizes Multifaceted Approach to Pressure Russia Over Ukraine Conflict
Vice President JD Vance signals potential military and economic strategies to compel Russia to engage in serious negotiations regarding Ukraine.
In an interview published by The Wall Street Journal, Vice President JD Vance underscored the commitment of the U.S. government to apply various means to compel Russia to negotiate seriously to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. He referred to both military and economic "tools of leverage" that the United States could deploy, should negotiations fail to make progress.
Vance was speaking from Munich, where he is set for discussions with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. These comments come on the heels of President Donald Trump’s announcement regarding informal negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that Ukraine might not revert to its pre-2014 borders and questioning the practicality of future NATO membership for the nation.
In the interview, Vance noted the sensitivity of the discussions, stating it was premature to delve into specifics surrounding territorial arrangements or security guarantees for Ukraine. He asserted the administration's commitment to ensuring Ukraine's sovereign independence remains intact, saying, "There are any number of formulations, of configurations… but we do care about Ukraine having sovereign independence."
Notably, Trump's omission of Ukraine in his initial remarks raised alarms among European allies about the risk of sidelining Ukraine in negotiations. However, he later clarified that Ukraine's involvement was indeed anticipated. Zelensky emphasized that any agreements struck without Ukraine's consent would be unacceptable.
Vance reassured that Trump would approach the negotiations with openness, stating, "The president is not going to go in this with blinders on. He’s going to say, ‘Everything is on the table, let’s make a deal.’" This statement was reinforced after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified that U.S. troop deployment in Ukraine would not factor into any security guarantees, showcasing the delicate dynamics at play in these ongoing discussions.
Vance was speaking from Munich, where he is set for discussions with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. These comments come on the heels of President Donald Trump’s announcement regarding informal negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that Ukraine might not revert to its pre-2014 borders and questioning the practicality of future NATO membership for the nation.
In the interview, Vance noted the sensitivity of the discussions, stating it was premature to delve into specifics surrounding territorial arrangements or security guarantees for Ukraine. He asserted the administration's commitment to ensuring Ukraine's sovereign independence remains intact, saying, "There are any number of formulations, of configurations… but we do care about Ukraine having sovereign independence."
Notably, Trump's omission of Ukraine in his initial remarks raised alarms among European allies about the risk of sidelining Ukraine in negotiations. However, he later clarified that Ukraine's involvement was indeed anticipated. Zelensky emphasized that any agreements struck without Ukraine's consent would be unacceptable.
Vance reassured that Trump would approach the negotiations with openness, stating, "The president is not going to go in this with blinders on. He’s going to say, ‘Everything is on the table, let’s make a deal.’" This statement was reinforced after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified that U.S. troop deployment in Ukraine would not factor into any security guarantees, showcasing the delicate dynamics at play in these ongoing discussions.
