Vance signals US troops may go to Ukraine, Zelenskyy rejects forced peace

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Ryan Robertson Anchor

By Ryan Robertson (Anchor), William Jackson (Producer), Michael Edwards (Video Editor)

Vice President JD Vance will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference in Germany to discuss Ukraine’s future amid the ongoing war with Russia. The meeting follows President Donald Trump’s announcement of negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war.
Vance emphasized U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s long-term independence, warning Moscow of potential sanctions or direct military action if negotiations fail, while Zelenskyy insisted on Ukraine’s direct involvement in any talks.
The Trump administration’s mixed signals on its evolving strategy raise questions about the U.S. military’s future role in supporting Ukraine.

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Vice President JD Vance is meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, as discussions over Ukraine’s future take center stage. The meeting followed President Donald Trump’s announcement that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to begin negotiations to end the war.

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However, uncertainty remains over what those talks will mean for Ukraine and whether it will play a direct role.

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What is the US position on the war?

Vance stated that Washington wanted a deal that guaranteed Ukraine’s long-term independence but warned Moscow of potential sanctions or military action if it refused to negotiate in good faith. He emphasized that Trump is keeping “everything on the table,” including economic leverage, diplomatic pressure and the possibility of further, and deeper, U.S. involvement.

While Vance presented a strong stance, his remarks raised questions about Washington’s overall approach.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested earlier this week that the U.S. would not commit forces to Ukraine. Vance’s comments contradicted that position, with the vice president stating that sending U.S. troops remains an option if Russia does not seriously engage in peace talks.

How is Ukraine responding?

Zelenskyy rejected the idea of a U.S.-Russia deal that excludes Ukraine from negotiations, saying his country must participate in any discussions regarding its future. He also called for stronger security guarantees backed by the U.S. and its allies.

French President Emmanuel Macron backed Zelenskyy, warning that a “peace that is a capitulation” would set a dangerous precedent for Europe.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas echoed this sentiment, stating that any rushed resolution could result in a deal that compromises Ukraine’s sovereignty.

What other issues is Vance raising in Munich?

Beyond Ukraine, Vance used his speech at the conference to criticize European leaders, accusing them of suppressing political opposition and ignoring rising populist movements. He defended Elon Musk, who has faced backlash from German officials for his support of far-right movements, and urged European leaders to work with anti-establishment parties.

Additionally, Vance argued that European governments should curb mass migration, warning that failure to do so could threaten stability in the region. His remarks align with the Trump administration’s broader push for European nations to reevaluate their domestic policies and security strategies.

What happens next?

As the Munich Security Conference continues, Ukraine remains focused on securing firm U.S. backing, while the Trump administration sends mixed signals on its evolving strategy.

With negotiations between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv looming, the central question remains: Will the U.S. maintain military support for Ukraine, or is this the start of a broader shift in American foreign policy?

Tags: Donald Trump, JD Vance, National Security, Russia, Russia-Ukraine War, Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine, Ukraine aid, Ukraine Defense Ministry, Ukrainian Security Service, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy

[Ryan Robertson]

U.S. VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE WILL MEET WITH UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY AT THE MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE, WHERE THE FUTURE OF UKRAINE IS TAKING CENTER STAGE. THE TALKS FOLLOW PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S ANNOUNCEMENT HE AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN AGREED TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS TO END THE WAR.

VANCE SAYS WASHINGTON WANTS A DEAL THAT ENSURES UKRAINE’S LONG-TERM INDEPENDENCE BUT WARNED MOSCOW OF POTENTIAL SANCTIONS OR MILITARY ACTION IF IT REFUSES TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH. HE REAFFIRMED TO THE WALL STREET JOURNAL THAT TRUMP IS KEEPING “EVERYTHING ON THE TABLE” WHEN IT COMES TO ENDING THE CONFLICT, INCLUDING DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE AND ECONOMIC LEVERAGE.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF SENDING U.S. TROOPS TO UKRAINE, VANCE SAID THE OPTION REMAINS OPEN IF RUSSIA FAILS TO ENGAGE SERIOUSLY IN PEACE TALKS. HIS COMMENTS SEEM TO CONTRADICT THE STANCE DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH OUTLINED JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE, WHEN HE SUGGESTED WASHINGTON WOULD NOT COMMIT U-S FORCES. BUT WITH VANCE’S COMMENTS, TRUMP IS LEAVING THE POSSIBILITY ON THE TABLE, SAYING UKRAINE’S FATE DEPENDS ON HOW NEGOTIATIONS UNFOLD.

ZELENSKY SAYS HE’LL REJECT ANY U.S.-RUSSIA DEAL THAT EXCLUDES UKRAINE, INSISTING HIS COUNTRY MUST BE PART OF ANY NEGOTIATIONS. HE ALSO CALLED FOR STRONG SECURITY GUARANTEES BACKED BY THE U-S. FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON BACKED ZELENSKY, WARNING A “PEACE THAT IS A CAPITULATION” WOULD BE DANGEROUS FOR EUROPE.

VANCE ALSO USED HIS SPEECH AT THE CONFERENCE TO CRITICIZE EUROPEAN LEADERS, ACCUSING THEM OF STIFLING POLITICAL OPPOSITION. HE ALSO DEFENDED ELON MUSK, WHO IS FACING BACKLASH FROM GERMAN OFFICIALS OVER HIS SUPPORT FOR FAR-RIGHT MOVEMENTS.

JD VANCE
VICE PRESIDENT

“And trust me, I say this with all humour. If American democracy can survive ten years of Greta Thunberg scolding, you guys can survive a few months of Elon Musk. But what German democracy, what no democracy, American, German or European will survive is telling millions of voters that their thoughts and concerns, their aspirations, their pleas for relief are invalid or unworthy of even being considered.”

AS THE CONFERENCE CONTINUES, AND WITH UKRAINE PUSHING FOR STRONGER U.S. BACKING WHILE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SENDS MIXED SIGNALS ON ITS SHIFTING STRATEGY; QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT WHETHER THE U.S. WILL KEEP SUPPORTING UKRAINE MILITARILY, OR IF THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW FOREIGN POLICY APPROACH?

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