U.S. Vice President JD Vance defended his remarks after facing backlash for questioning a European-led peacekeeping force in Ukraine. In a Fox News interview, Vance described the force as "20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years." His comments sparked criticism from British and French politicians and veterans, who accused him of dishonoring their troops who fought alongside the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Vance responded on X, calling the outrage "absurdly dishonest," insisting he never mentioned the UK or France, both of which he acknowledged had fought "bravely" with the U.S. He clarified that he was referring to other potential contributors to the peacekeeping coalition, a concept recently endorsed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Criticism came swiftly, with British opposition defence spokesperson James Cartlidge calling Vance’s remarks "deeply disrespectful." Former defence minister and veteran Johnny Mercer labeled him a "clown." In France, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu emphasized respect for all allied veterans, while President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party stated that French and British soldiers "deserve better than disdain."
Nigel Farage, leader of the UK’s Reform party and an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, also condemned Vance’s remarks, calling them "wrong, wrong, wrong."
Vance’s spokesperson, Taylor Van Kirk, defended his stance, arguing that no European nation has the military capability to deter Russia without U.S. assistance. Meanwhile, Vance suggested that the best way to secure Ukraine’s future was to grant the U.S. economic interests in the country’s mineral resources, rather than relying on European troops.