US vice president JD Vance caused problems with his remarks about peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. British politicians attacked Vance for disrespecting UK military forces after he stated an American financial interest in Ukraine provided better protection than troops from countries without recent war experience. Britain and France have offered to place military personnel in Ukraine as part of any peace settlement. Vance later claimed he never specifically mentioned Britain or France by name.
He pointed out both nations fought bravely with American forces during the past twenty years. He did not clarify which specific countries he meant in his initial statement. Vance wrote on social media that many nations offering support lack real battlefield experience or adequate military equipment. Britain and France remain the only countries publicly committing troops toward monitoring any future peace agreement in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously stated multiple countries had agreed to help. Vance spoke as the United States temporarily stopped sending military aid to Ukraine following a heated argument between President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. The Ukrainian president departed before signing an agreement about sharing mineral resources with American businesses. Speaking about this proposal, Vance told Fox News that giving Americans economic opportunities in Ukraine creates better security than troops from countries lacking combat experience.
Starmer believes America must provide security guarantees to prevent Vladimir Putin from attacking Ukraine again if peace talks succeed. Trump has refused these commitments, suggesting American workers in Ukraine through mineral agreements might offer sufficient protection. James Cartlidge, Conservative shadow defense secretary, reminded everyone that both Britain and France sent forces alongside Americans in Afghanistan. He described ignoring such service as deeply disrespectful.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch attempted to reduce tensions by stating Vance never directly called Britain a random country. She encouraged everyone to remain calm during heated discussions. Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader, declared Vance absolutely incorrect, emphasizing how Britain supported America throughout twenty years of war in Afghanistan. Helen Maguire, Liberal Democrat defense spokesperson and former Royal Military Police captain who served in Iraq asked the British ambassador to demand an apology from Vance.
She accused him of erasing the memory of hundreds of British troops who died. Maguire personally saw American and British soldiers fighting together. Ben Obese-Jecty, Conservative MP and former British Army officer with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, called Vance's disrespect toward service personnel sacrifices unacceptable. After Vance defended his comments online, Obese-Jecty questioned which countries Vance meant, if not Britain and France. He requested clarification and an apology.
The British government avoided stating whether the prime minister felt insulted by these remarks but expressed admiration for all British troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Britain joined the American invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. France also deployed forces to Afghanistan. More than 150,000 British personnel served in Afghanistan over twenty years, with final withdrawals occurring in 2021. Britain participated in the American-led invasion of Iraq starting in March 2003, sending up to 46,000 troops.
He pointed out both nations fought bravely with American forces during the past twenty years. He did not clarify which specific countries he meant in his initial statement. Vance wrote on social media that many nations offering support lack real battlefield experience or adequate military equipment. Britain and France remain the only countries publicly committing troops toward monitoring any future peace agreement in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously stated multiple countries had agreed to help. Vance spoke as the United States temporarily stopped sending military aid to Ukraine following a heated argument between President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. The Ukrainian president departed before signing an agreement about sharing mineral resources with American businesses. Speaking about this proposal, Vance told Fox News that giving Americans economic opportunities in Ukraine creates better security than troops from countries lacking combat experience.
Starmer believes America must provide security guarantees to prevent Vladimir Putin from attacking Ukraine again if peace talks succeed. Trump has refused these commitments, suggesting American workers in Ukraine through mineral agreements might offer sufficient protection. James Cartlidge, Conservative shadow defense secretary, reminded everyone that both Britain and France sent forces alongside Americans in Afghanistan. He described ignoring such service as deeply disrespectful.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch attempted to reduce tensions by stating Vance never directly called Britain a random country. She encouraged everyone to remain calm during heated discussions. Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader, declared Vance absolutely incorrect, emphasizing how Britain supported America throughout twenty years of war in Afghanistan. Helen Maguire, Liberal Democrat defense spokesperson and former Royal Military Police captain who served in Iraq asked the British ambassador to demand an apology from Vance.
She accused him of erasing the memory of hundreds of British troops who died. Maguire personally saw American and British soldiers fighting together. Ben Obese-Jecty, Conservative MP and former British Army officer with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, called Vance's disrespect toward service personnel sacrifices unacceptable. After Vance defended his comments online, Obese-Jecty questioned which countries Vance meant, if not Britain and France. He requested clarification and an apology.
The British government avoided stating whether the prime minister felt insulted by these remarks but expressed admiration for all British troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Britain joined the American invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. France also deployed forces to Afghanistan. More than 150,000 British personnel served in Afghanistan over twenty years, with final withdrawals occurring in 2021. Britain participated in the American-led invasion of Iraq starting in March 2003, sending up to 46,000 troops.
