US Vice-President Accuses Russia of Making Excessive Demands in Ukraine Peace Talks
In a significant escalation of US criticism, Vice-President JD Vance has accused Russia of "asking for too much" in the ongoing peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Washington, Vance emphasised that the Russian demands were a major obstacle to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. According to a report by The Times, Vance stated that the US had reacted to Russia’s initial peace offer by saying, "you’re asking for too much — but this is how negotiations unfold."
The Vice-President also acknowledged that there was still a "big gulf" between Russia and Ukraine, which could only be bridged by direct talks between the two adversaries. Vance appeared to accept Russia’s argument that it could not, for strategic reasons, agree to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US and accepted by Ukraine. As The Times reported, Vance said, "What the Russians have said is, a 30-day ceasefire is not in our strategic interest. So we’ve tried to move beyond the obsession with a 30-day ceasefire and more on what would the long-term settlement look like."
Vance’s comments mark a significant shift in tone from his previous criticism of Western allies, including Britain and Europe. In February, he attacked them for "retreating from fundamental values" and barely mentioned Ukraine. However, in his latest remarks, Vance struck a more conciliatory tone towards Western allies, saying, "I do still very much think the US and Europe are on the same team. I still think that this European alliance is very important but I think that for it to be important and for us to be real friends with each other — and I think that we are very much real friends — we’ve got to talk about the big questions."
The US and Russia have been engaged in intense negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine, with the US proposing a 30-day ceasefire. However, Russia has rejected this proposal, citing strategic concerns. According to The Times, Vance said that if cool heads prevailed, it was possible to bring the conflict to a durable peace that would be economically beneficial for both Ukraine and Russia.
The conflict in Ukraine has resulted in significant human suffering, with thousands of civilians killed or injured. A recent drone strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, resulted in a residential building being hit, highlighting the ongoing violence. As reported by The Times, President Trump has repeatedly claimed that a deal to end the conflict is imminent, saying in a recent NBC News interview that, "We think we’re fairly close."
Vance’s comments have been echoed by President Trump, who said that his Vice-President "might be right" about Russia’s demands. Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the negotiations, saying, "We are getting to a point where some decisions are going to have to be made. I’m not happy about it. I’m not happy about it." As The Times noted, Trump had previously pledged to end the war in a day, but his administration has been criticised for its handling of the conflict.
The US and European allies have been working to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, with the US envoy, Steve Witkoff, meeting President Putin several times in Moscow. However, the talks have been complicated by Russia’s demands, which the US and Ukraine have deemed excessive. According to The Times, Vance’s comments reflect a growing recognition that a peaceful resolution to the conflict will require a long-term settlement, rather than a short-term ceasefire.
In conclusion, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains a major challenge for the international community, with the US and Russia engaged in intense negotiations to end the violence. As reported by The Times, Vice-President Vance’s comments reflect a growing recognition that a peaceful resolution will require a long-term settlement, rather than a short-term ceasefire. The US and European allies will need to work closely together to find a solution that addresses the concerns of all parties involved.
The situation in Ukraine remains volatile, with ongoing violence and humanitarian suffering. The international community will be watching closely as the negotiations continue, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. As The Times reported, Vance’s comments offer a glimmer of hope that a peaceful solution may be possible, but much work remains to be done to achieve a lasting peace.
