Vance denies disrespecting UK, France over Peacekeeping remarks

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Wednesday, March 5th, 2025

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RKI Network
LONDON/PARIS – U.S. Vice President JD Vance denied accusations of disrespecting Britain and France after his comments about a planned European peacekeeping force in Ukraine stirred controversy.
In an interview with Fox News, Vance referred to the force as 20,000 troops from a “random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years,” prompting backlash from British and French politicians and veterans. They interpreted the remark as a slight against soldiers who fought alongside U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Vance quickly clarified, stating it was “absurdly dishonest” to suggest he was criticizing British or French troops, emphasizing that neither country was mentioned in the interview. He clarified that his comments referred to other potential countries contributing to a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, with Britain and France being the only nations officially committed to the effort.
British and French officials were swift to respond, with British defense spokesperson James Cartlidge condemning the comments as “deeply disrespectful.” French President Macron’s Renaissance party also voiced strong disapproval, stating the soldiers who fought alongside the U.S. deserved better.
Vance’s spokesperson defended him, arguing that no European country has the military resources to deter Russia without American support, adding that past contributions to NATO missions were not comparable to the scale of a hypothetical European force.
In addition to the peacekeeping force discussions, Vance suggested that opening Ukraine’s mineral resources to U.S. businesses could provide long-term security benefits and deter future Russian aggression.