Vance backs defensive approach for Ukraine during peace negotiations

US Vice President JD Vance has stated that the administration of President Donald Trump believes Ukraine should prioritise a defensive military posture while diplomatic efforts continue.

Speaking to The Times, Vance said this strategy has proven more effective, as defending requires fewer resources than attacking and allows Ukraine to capitalise on its tactical advantages.

US Vice President also referred to debates that took place in the summer of 2023 over whether Ukraine should launch a large-scale counteroffensive.

He noted that much of the Western world, including then-US president Joe Biden, had urged Ukraine to launch a major counteroffensive, which he described as a strategic and tactical failure.

After a conversation with US President Donald Trump on July 4, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said there is a genuine possibility of bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to an end.

I have congratulated President Trump @POTUS and all Americans on the Independence Day. We’ve had a very good phone call.

We are grateful to the United States for all the assistance we have received – from Javelins and Patriots to political support – and we deeply value that… pic.twitter.com/FKAPdpvnSN

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 4, 2026

At the end of June, Trump stated that Zelenskyy is “doing pretty well” in the war against Russia, while the US State Department recently also noted that Ukraine is currently in a winning position.

By Jeyhun Aghazada