Russia's high demands stall Ukraine peace efforts, Vance says
Vice President J.D. Vance said on Wednesday that Russia "demands too much" regarding a possible end to the war with Ukraine.
The US Vice President is participating in a meeting related to the Munich Security Conference in Washington, D.C. J.D. Vance highlighted the new frustrations in the Trump White House regarding its efforts to engage Moscow in peace talks.
- The Russians are demanding a certain set of demands, a certain set of concessions to end the conflict. We believe they are demanding too much - he said.
The US Vice President stated that Washington is focusing on a long-term solution as Russia rejected the American call for a 30-day ceasefire.
The Kremlin then noted that such a solution is not in Russia's strategic interest, as it would allow Ukraine to regroup.
Moscow will have to make concessions?
However, Vance emphasised that Moscow will likely have to make concessions, which may signal, according to Politico, that the Trump administration is ready for a more assertive policy towards Putin.
- The step that we would like to make right now is: we'd like both the Russians and the Ukrainians to actually agree on some basic guidelines for sitting down and talking to one another - he indicated. - But it's very important for the Russians and the Ukrainians to start talking to one another - he noted.
Vance also assured that President Donald Trump wants to achieve peace for humanitarian reasons, among others. - He has a genuine humanitarian impulse about this. He hates innocent people losing their lives. He hates even soldiers losing their lives in unnecessary conflicts. He just wants the killing to stop - J.D. Vance pointed out.
