Donald J. Trump’s selection of Senator J.D. Vance, a Republican from Ohio, as his running mate on Monday has raised concerns about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine if the former president is re-elected.
Senator Vance has been a prominent critic of U.S. aid to Ukraine, questioning the Biden administration’s decision to provide financial and material assistance. He led a Senate campaign to block a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine, which was ultimately unsuccessful.
A conservative figure, Senator Vance believes that supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia is overly expensive and unrealistic. He has dismissed the idea of returning Ukraine to its pre-invasion borders as “fantastical.”
Senator Vance argues that Ukraine should halt its offensive actions against Russia and focus on negotiating a settlement, as he believes the West cannot supply enough weapons to secure a victory.
In a 2022 podcast interview with Steve Bannon, a former Trump adviser currently serving a prison term for contempt of Congress, Senator Vance remarked, “I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other.”
Senator Vance’s Stance on U.S. Support for Ukraine
- The ‘math’ makes Ukraine’s war unwinnable: Senator Vance has criticized the Biden administration for underestimating the resources needed to defeat Russia.