Vance: Russia’s Ukraine Demands Too High, But Peace Is Possible

WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance has called Russia’s demands in the Ukraine conflict—such as blocking NATO membership and redrawing borders—unreasonably steep, but he remains optimistic about forging a lasting peace. Speaking at the Munich Leaders Meeting in Washington, Vance emphasized the need for both sides to establish basic guidelines for negotiations.

“If we can keep calm and carry on, we can steer this toward a peace that benefits both Ukraine and Russia economically,” Vance said, advocating for a long-term settlement over fleeting ceasefires. He noted Ukraine’s openness to a 30-day truce, which Russia has rejected, and stressed the U.S. is focused on sustainable solutions.

Vance, in discussion with Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, former German ambassador to the U.S., also pushed for Europe to ramp up defense spending, aligning with the Trump administration’s America First push for NATO allies to take greater responsibility for their security.

Ischinger warned that European-led peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine without U.S. involvement could spell the 'de facto end of NATO.' He cautioned that if nations like the U.K. or France deploy forces independently, Russia might accuse Ukraine of escalating tensions, potentially dragging European troops into conflict without American support.

Vance reiterated his stance from February’s Munich Security Conference, urging Europe to prioritize its defense while suggesting internal challenges like censorship and immigration pose greater threats than Russia or China. European leaders, including German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, pushed back, wary of comparisons to authoritarian regimes.