Vance forced into clarification after MPs who served in forces condemn war jibe

The US vice president has been forced to clarify that his criticism of a possible European peacekeeping force in Ukraine was not aimed at the UK or France after a backlash from British politicians and ex-soldiers.

In an interview on Tuesday, JD Vance appeared to downplay the potential of “20,000 troops from some random country that has not fought a war in 30 or 40 years” in monitoring any ceasefire.

His comments were widely perceived to be directed towards the UK and France, who have been leading European efforts to secure a peace deal between Russia and Kyiv.

‘Dishonest’

Later on Tuesday, Mr Vance claimed it was “absurdly dishonest” to suggest he had been referring to either of the countries.

“I don’t even mention the UK or France in the clip, both of whom have fought bravely alongside the US over the last 20 years, and beyond,” he said.

During an interview on Fox News, Mr Vance said: “If you want real security guarantees, if you want to actually ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine again, the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine.

“That is a way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 20 or 30 years.”

The US had been poised to sign a minerals deal with Kyiv last week, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky left the White House empty-handed after a dramatic row in the Oval Office with Mr Vance and Donald Trump.

Some UK politicians and ex-personnel reacted furiously to the vice-president’s remarks.

Liberal Democrat defence spokeswoman Helen Maguire MP, a former Captain in the Royal Military Police who served in Iraq, demanded the UK ambassador to the US, Lord Mandelson, seek an apology from Mr Vance.

“JD Vance is erasing from history the hundreds of British troops who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan,” she said.

“I saw firsthand how American and British soldiers fought bravely together shoulder to shoulder. Six of my own regiment, the Royal Military Police, didn’t return home from Iraq. This is a sinister attempt to deny that reality.

“As the UK’s representative to the US, Peter Mandelson should call on Vance to apologise for these comments.”

‘Deeply disrespectful’

Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge described the remarks as “deeply disrespectful” while Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, said they were “unacceptable”.

“Nato Article 5 has been invoked once – on 12/9/01 by (the US), after 9/11. (Britain and France) came to their aid deploying thousands of personnel to Afghanistan, including my own brother and numerous parliamentary colleagues, past and present,” Mr Cartlidge said.

“It’s deeply disrespectful to ignore such service and sacrifice.”

Mr Obese-Jecty cited Mr Vance’s account in his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, of his own time as a Marine Corps journalist in Iraq, where he said he “was lucky to escape any real fighting”.

The MP for Huntingdon went on: “I was part of British forces fighting in highly kinetic operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the latter in response to Article 5 following 9/11.

“The disrespect shown by the new US vice president to the sacrifices of our service personnel is unacceptable.”

Downing Street refused to be drawn on whether Sir Keir Starmer had found the comments insulting or disrespectful but said he was “full of admiration for all British troops who have served, for instance in Iraq and Afghanistan”.

Asked about the remarks, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Many have lost their lives in the process and have fought obviously alongside allies including the United States.

“And it’s very clear that their courage and bravery has helped to ensure global security, defend our values, defend our national interests.

“Our focus, once again, is on how we protect our national interests and global security by progressing the discussions to secure lasting peace for Ukraine.”