INTERNATIONAL
Vance says Europe will have to take 'lion's share' of burden for Ukrainian security
US Vice President JD Vance says Russia wants some Ukrainian territory, "most of which they have occupied but some of which they haven't." - REUTERS/Filepic
WASHINGTON: U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Wednesday that European countries will have to pay the "lion's share" of costs for Ukraine's security guarantees.
AI Brief
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
President Donald Trump wants to strike a peace deal to end Russia's 3-1/2-year-old war in Ukraine.
One of Ukraine's priorities is security guarantees against Russian aggression. Trump has said he will not put U.S. troops on the ground there but could offer U.S. air support.
European countries have formed a "coalition of the willing" that would commit forces to guarantee Ukraine's security.
With Trump testy about billions of dollars in U.S. military aid to Ukraine so far, the White House has said Washington will not continue "writing blank checks" to fund Kyiv's defense.
Trump wants to shift more responsibility for the costs to European allies.
KEY QUOTES
"I don't think we should carry the burden here.... The president certainly expects Europe to play the leading role here," Vance told Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle" show.
"No matter what form this takes, the Europeans are going to have to take the lion's share of the burden. It's their continent, its their security, and the president has been very clear - they are going to have to step up here."
CONTEXT
Vance said Russia wants some Ukrainian territory, "most of which they have occupied but some of which they haven't."
Russia occupies around a fifth of Ukraine, and Trump has said "land-swapping" and changes to territory will be crucial for any settlement.
Ukraine opposes conceding any territory, a position President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said is enshrined in the country's constitution. But Kyiv currently lacks the military capacity to retake all Russian-held areas and has limited diplomatic leverage to force a withdrawal in the short term.
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AI Brief
- Trump wants a peace deal in Ukraine but wont send US troops, suggesting air support and urging Europe to take the lead.
- Hes critical of US aid to Ukraine, saying Europe should bear more of the cost since its their region and security at stake.
- Territorial concessions may be part of talks, though Ukraine opposes giving up land currently occupied by Russia.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
President Donald Trump wants to strike a peace deal to end Russia's 3-1/2-year-old war in Ukraine.
One of Ukraine's priorities is security guarantees against Russian aggression. Trump has said he will not put U.S. troops on the ground there but could offer U.S. air support.
European countries have formed a "coalition of the willing" that would commit forces to guarantee Ukraine's security.
With Trump testy about billions of dollars in U.S. military aid to Ukraine so far, the White House has said Washington will not continue "writing blank checks" to fund Kyiv's defense.
Trump wants to shift more responsibility for the costs to European allies.
KEY QUOTES
"I don't think we should carry the burden here.... The president certainly expects Europe to play the leading role here," Vance told Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle" show.
"No matter what form this takes, the Europeans are going to have to take the lion's share of the burden. It's their continent, its their security, and the president has been very clear - they are going to have to step up here."
CONTEXT
Vance said Russia wants some Ukrainian territory, "most of which they have occupied but some of which they haven't."
Russia occupies around a fifth of Ukraine, and Trump has said "land-swapping" and changes to territory will be crucial for any settlement.
Ukraine opposes conceding any territory, a position President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said is enshrined in the country's constitution. But Kyiv currently lacks the military capacity to retake all Russian-held areas and has limited diplomatic leverage to force a withdrawal in the short term.