In recent developments, Vice President JD Vance has created tensions with pivotal allies, the United Kingdom and France, due to his stance on a U.S.-Ukraine critical minerals pact as a strategic measure against Russian President Vladimir Putin. This proposition from Vance is seen as more effective than deploying a peacekeeping force from a “random country” to postwar Ukraine.
During an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News Channel, Vance expressed that solidifying economic ties with Ukraine under the Trump administration is a more reliable security measure than sending 20,000 troops from nations that haven’t engaged in warfare for decades. The U.S. aims to deter future Russian aggressions by securing access to Ukraine’s rich mineral deposits.
Though Vance did not specify any country in his comments regarding peacekeeping missions, his remarks have been interpreted by officials in the U.K. and France as dismissive of their longstanding military partnership with the U.S. in conflict regions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron are strongly advocating for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine to deter further Russian invasions should a truce be established.
Historically, French troops have participated in military operations in Afghanistan following the attacks on September 11, 2001, and British forces have collaborated with American troops in conflicts such as Afghanistan and Iraq, in addition to operations against the Islamic State.
Reform U.K. leader Nigel Farage criticized Vance’s perspective as flawed, emphasizing the UK’s significant contributions and sacrifices in Afghanistan on par with the U.S. Vance attempted to mitigate backlash via social media, clarifying his remarks and recognizing the valor of British and French forces alongside U.S. troops.
In France, Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu appreciated Vance’s subsequent efforts to amend his comments, yet in the U.K., Liberal Democrat spokesperson Helen Maguire pressed for an apology, underscoring the sacrifices made by British soldiers.
Patrick Bury of the University of Bath, a former British Army officer, highlighted the emotional impact of Vance’s statements on veterans, recalling shared experiences of combat alongside American forces.
Vance’s assertions came before a notable announcement from the White House regarding President Trump’s directive to pause U.S. support for Ukraine until Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy partakes in negotiations with Russia. During Zelenskyy’s recent visit to Washington, there were plans to finalize a minerals deal, which was intended to repay U.S. aid since the war’s inception.
Negotiations were thwarted unexpectedly after a contentious meeting between Trump, Vance, and Zelenskyy. The agreement is viewed as beneficial for both the U.S. and Ukraine, having potential advantages for American industries given Ukraine’s reserves of critical minerals like titanium and lithium.
Trump remains optimistic about finalizing such an agreement, promoting it as an enduring enhancement of U.S.-Ukrainian relations. He refers to the deal as mutually advantageous in preparation for a congressional address.
Despite Trump’s enthusiasm, Prime Minister Starmer insists that a mineral agreement alone is insufficient to assure Ukraine’s security. He emphasizes the necessity of U.S. support for European military efforts on the ground, incorporating intelligence, surveillance, and rapid intervention capabilities to enforce any truce effectively.
