US Vice President JD Vance has drawn fierce criticism after his remarks about a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine, with opposition politicians in the UK and France accusing him of disrespecting their military contributions.
The VP has since issued a statement in response to the backlash.
Vance’s comments, made in a March 3 interview with Fox News, suggested that a US economic investment in Ukraine would provide a stronger security guarantee than the deployment of foreign troops.
"[President Zelenskyy knows that if you want real security guarantees, if you want to actually ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine again, the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine," Vance said.
“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.
"The security guarantee and also the economic guarantee for Ukraine is to rebuild the country and ensure that America has a long-term interest."
Of course, Vance's comments come as Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy struggle to agree to terms on a mineral/security deal and after Trump ordered a pause on military aid in Ukraine.
Who Was Vance Talking About?
The remarks quickly sparked outrage in the UK and France, both of which have publicly committed to sending troops to Ukraine as part of a future peacekeeping agreement.
Although Vance didn't mention any country by name, many have assumed that he was referring to them, given that the UK and France have led discussions on providing "boots on the ground" and "planes in the air".
Backlash From UK and French Officials
French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu welcomed Vance’s clarification but emphasized that French troops have a long history of sacrifice, and "deserved the respect of our allies".
UK Conservative shadow defense secretary James Cartlidge pointed out that both the UK and France deployed troops alongside the US in Afghanistan, calling Vance’s comments "deeply disrespectful", per BBC News.
Former British Army officer Ben Obese-Jecty, now a Conservative MP, said the “disrespect shown by the new US vice president to the sacrifices of our service personnel is unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat defense spokesperson Helen Maguire, who served in Iraq, said Vance’s comments were “erasing from history the hundreds of British troops who gave their lives.” She urged UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson to demand an apology from Vance.
Vance Attempts To Clarify His Comments
Vance, however, has since attempted to clarify his remarks, saying that he “did not even mention the UK or France” and that both countries had “fought bravely alongside the US over the last 20 years, and beyond.”
Taking to X, Vance wrote: "This is absurdly dishonest.
"I don’t even mention the UK or France in the clip, both of whom have fought bravely alongside the US over the last 20 years, and beyond.
"But let’s be direct: there are many countries who are volunteering (privately or publicly) support who have neither the battlefield experience nor the military equipment to do anything meaningful."
Despite this, Vance has not clarified which country or countries he was referring to, stating only that some nations “volunteering support” do not have the necessary battlefield experience or military equipment to make a meaningful impact.
US-Ukraine Tensions Rise as Aid Paused
Vance’s comments come as the US has paused military aid to Ukraine, following a tense Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The meeting ended abruptly, with Zelenskyy leaving before a proposed minerals-sharing deal with American companies could be signed.
The deal would have granted US firms rights to Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources, aligning with Trump’s belief that economic investment, rather than military force, is the best security guarantee for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy has since responded on Tuesday, writing on X: "None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians.
“My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.
“We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky — ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure — and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same.
“Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal. We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. And we remember the moment when things changed when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins. We are grateful for this."
He continued: “Our meeting in Washington, at the White House on Friday, did not go the way it was supposed to be. It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.
“Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format. We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively.”
Stopping military aid to Ukraine, A White House official anonymously revealed to Sky News: "President [Trump] has been clear that he is focused on peace.
"We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that is contributing to a solution."
The decision to pause aid was welcomed by Russia, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov telling the BBC: “If the US stops, or pauses these supplies, this will probably be the best contribution to the cause of peace.”
However, the pause in US support comes as Russian attacks on Ukraine intensify. Overnight, 99 drones targeted key infrastructure in Odesa, Sumy, and Donetsk, damaging power stations and a children’s medical facility.
As tensions escalate, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has emphasized that US security guarantees — such as air cover — will be needed to deter Russia from launching another invasion if a peace deal is reached.
However, Trump has refused to commit to this, instead pointing to economic involvement as the best deterrent.