Vance says Europe should take ‘lion’s share’ of burden for Ukrainian safety

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated on Wednesday (August 21, 2025) that European international locations should pay the “lion’s share” of prices for Ukraine’s safety ensures.

U.S. President Donald Trump desires to strike a peace deal to finish Russia’s three and a half year-old warfare in Ukraine.

One of Ukraine’s priorities is safety ensures towards Russian aggression. Mr. Trump has stated he won’t put U.S. troops on the bottom there however might supply U.S. air help.

European international locations have shaped a “coalition of the willing” that will commit forces to ensure Ukraine’s safety.

With Mr. Trump testy about billions of {dollars} in U.S. army assist to Ukraine thus far, the White House has stated Washington won’t proceed “writing blank checks” to fund Kyiv’s protection.

Mr. Trump desires to shift extra accountability for the prices to European allies.

“I don’t think we should carry the burden here…. The president certainly expects Europe to play the leading role here,” Mr. Vance informed Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle” present.

“No matter what form this takes, the Europeans are going to have to take the lion’s share of the burden. It’s their continent, its their security, and the president has been very clear – they are going to have to step up here.”

Mr. Vance stated Russia desires some Ukrainian territory, “most of which they have occupied but some of which they haven’t.”

Russia occupies round a fifth of Ukraine, and Trump has stated “land-swapping” and modifications to territory can be essential for any settlement.

Ukraine opposes conceding any territory, a place President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has stated is enshrined within the nation’s structure. But Kyiv at present lacks the army capability to retake all Russian-held areas and has restricted diplomatic leverage to pressure a withdrawal within the brief time period.