WASHINGTON – Vice President JD Vance stated that the United States believes the next step in negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war is for the nations to establish basic guidelines for direct talks, and the United States is open to participating in these discussions. However, Vance expressed that the Trump administration believes Russia is demanding too much and deems it “probably impossible” for Americans to mediate the conflict without some direct conversations between the warring nations, having been at odds since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Vance emphasized at the Munich Leaders Meeting in Washington, D.C., on May 7 that the Russians seem to be requesting excessive concessions to end the conflict. Various officials within the Trump administration, including the president, have threatened to withdraw from peace negotiations if they feel insufficient progress is being made towards a resolution. Vance indicated that ultimatums may arise at every stage of the talks and expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of reaching a deal.
“It’s crucial for the Russians and Ukrainians to engage in dialogue,” Vance stated. He noted President Donald Trump’s surprise at his remarks on Russian demands in peace negotiations during a subsequent White House event, where Trump acknowledged the need for imminent decisions despite his displeasure.
Regarding the issue of securing a temporary ceasefire, Vance mentioned that Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, which Russia does not see as aligning with its strategic interests. The focus has shifted towards exploring the parameters of a long-term settlement with the intention of making progress in negotiations.
Vance defended the talks between the Trump administration and Russia, which have faced criticism from supporters of Ukraine, asserting that the talks aim to push Moscow towards clarifying its terms for resolving the conflict. He underscored the evolving nature of negotiations and the need for both parties to engage in constructive dialogue.
In contrast to his critical tone in a previous speech in February, where he admonished European nations for neglecting the concerns of their citizens and censoring information, Vance adopted a more diplomatic approach during the recent Munich Security Conference event, signaling a shift in his stance towards Europe.
“At its core principles,” he stated. Additionally: JD Vance’s stepbrother, Cory Bowman, is set to compete against a Democrat in the mayoral race in Cincinnati. However, during his time in Washington, he took a more conciliatory approach. He clarified to the audience that his comments in Munich were intended to apply not only to Europe but also to the Biden administration. “It’s not about Europe being bad and America being good,” Vance emphasized. Instead, he suggested that both countries had strayed “a little off course” in recent times. He urged everyone to work together to realign their paths. This content was originally published on USA TODAY: JD Vance remarks that Russia is ‘demanding too much’ to halt Ukraine war
