JD Vance has hit again at criticism after saying a possible peacekeeping drive in Ukraine can be “20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years”.
The US vice chairman was accused of “disrespecting” British forces who served alongside the US in Iraq and Afghanistan, with a former veterans minister branding him a “clown” who must “check his privilege”.
Politics newest: Trump stopping help to Ukraine is ‘profoundly worrying’
Though the UK and France are the one international locations to have pledged troops to a possible peacekeeping drive, Mr Vance mentioned the suggestion he was referring to these two allies 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,” he mentioned in a put up on X.
“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.”
He mentioned: “The president knows that if you want real US 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.
“That could be a method higher safety assure than 20,000 troops from some random nation that hasn’t fought a warfare in 30 or 40 years.”
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A number of British politicians interpreted this as a dig on the UK and France, who’ve led the thought of a “coalition of the willing” to supply boots on the bottom in Ukraine within the occasion of a ceasefire.
James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, accused Mr Vance of “ignoring the service and sacrifice” of personnel from the 2 international locations that fought in Afghanistan after 9/11.
He mentioned that’s the solely time NATO’s Article 5 has been invoked, which holds that members of the alliance will come to the defence of an ally below assault.
He added: “Britain and France came to their aid deploying 1,000s of personnel to Afghanistan, including numerous parliamentary colleagues, past & present. It’s deeply disrespectful to ignore such service & sacrifice.”
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Trump pauses army help to Ukraine – what now?
Former Tory veterans minister Johnny Mercer referred to as Mr Vance a “clown” who “needs to check his privilege”.
Helen Maguire, the Lib Dem’s defence spokesperson who additionally served within the military earlier than her profession in politics, accused Mr Trump’s deputy of “erasing the hundreds of British troops who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan from history”.
She mentioned: “Six of my own regiment, the Royal Military Police, didn’t return home from Iraq. This is a sinister attempt to deny that reality. Vance has demeaned his office.”
Talking after Mr Vance clarified his remarks, a Downing Road spokesperson mentioned the US vice chairman was “talking about other countries” when requested if he ought to apologise.
They added Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer “is full of admiration for British troops who fought alongside the US and others in wars and their courage and bravery”.
“They’re saying loads of things and getting quite animated, let’s keep cool heads,” she mentioned.
“I believe President Trump and JD Vance want peace, they’re looking after their national interest, we need to do so as well.”
It’s not the primary time Mr Vance has riled the UK, after beforehand attacking it over free speech and saying the UK is “Islamist under Labour”.
A historical past of JD Vance riling the UK
JD Vance appears to avoid wasting of his most incendiary feedback about different international locations for the UK.
Donald Trump’s vice chairman has repeatedly induced outrage amongst MPs, most not too long ago with what many noticed as a perceived dig at British troops.
Throughout final yr’s presidential election marketing campaign, Mr Vance recommended Labour’s victory right here made Britain the “first truly Islamist country” with nuclear weapons.
Recalling a dialog about who is perhaps “the first truly Islamist country that will get a nuclear weapon”, he mentioned quite than it being someplace like Iran, he settled on the UK “since Labour just took over”.
Mr Vance additionally used a landmark speech on the Munich Safety Convention to criticise the UK and Europe over free speech, saying there had been a “backslide away from conscience rights” that had put “basic liberties of religious Britons, in particular, in the crosshairs”.
He doubled down on these remarks throughout Sir Keir Starmer’s assembly with Donald Trump within the Oval Workplace final week, claiming the federal government’s stance is one thing that impacts US tech corporations and, due to this fact, Americans.
Sir Keir interjected, saying “we’ve had free speech for a very long time, it will last a long time, and we are very proud of that”.
The row comes after the Trump administration paused army help to Ukraine following a rare showdown between the US President and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The falling out has thrown into jeopardy the prospect of a minerals deal, which might give the US entry to Ukraine’s deposits of uncommon earth minerals.
Mr Trump has recommended this may deter Russia from invading Ukraine once more if a peace deal is struck – however Sir Keir mentioned yesterday that it might not be sufficient by itself.
The prime minister informed MPs on Monday that Britain should “lead from the front” on supporting Ukraine and Europe should “do the heavy lifting to support peace on our continent”.
Nevertheless, he mentioned “to succeed, this effort must also have strong US backing”.
