US vice president JD Vance on Wednesday said Russia was “asking for too much” in return for ending its 38-month invasion of Ukraine, in one of the Trump administration’s strongest rebukes of Moscow to date. His remarks came during a side event hosted by organisers of the Munich Security Conference .
“I wouldn’t say the Russians are uninterested in bringing this thing to a resolution,” Vance told attendees. “What I would say is, right now, the Russians are asking for a certain set of requirements, a certain set of concessions in order to end the conflict. We think they’re asking for too much.”
Vance clarified that the administration wants both Ukraine and Russia to engage in direct negotiations, as the US cannot mediate alone. “We think it’s probably impossible for us to mediate this entirely without at least some direct negotiation between the two,” he said. He further said that the US is focusing on helping the two sides agree to “basic guidelines” to start formal talks.
Although the Trump administration has often expressed frustration with both parties in the war, Vance’s statement marks a notable shift in tone toward Moscow. He also defended the administration’s approach as “strategic realism,” aiming to understand both perspectives — a stance that has drawn criticism from European allies wary of legitimising Russian claims.
Russia’s demands include Ukraine abandoning its Nato ambitions, accepting the annexation of Crimea and occupied territories, and legal protections for the Russian language. Ukraine, led by president Volodymyr Zelensky, continues to push for firm security guarantees from western allies.
“I wouldn’t say the Russians are uninterested in bringing this thing to a resolution,” Vance told attendees. “What I would say is, right now, the Russians are asking for a certain set of requirements, a certain set of concessions in order to end the conflict. We think they’re asking for too much.”
Vance clarified that the administration wants both Ukraine and Russia to engage in direct negotiations, as the US cannot mediate alone. “We think it’s probably impossible for us to mediate this entirely without at least some direct negotiation between the two,” he said. He further said that the US is focusing on helping the two sides agree to “basic guidelines” to start formal talks.
Although the Trump administration has often expressed frustration with both parties in the war, Vance’s statement marks a notable shift in tone toward Moscow. He also defended the administration’s approach as “strategic realism,” aiming to understand both perspectives — a stance that has drawn criticism from European allies wary of legitimising Russian claims.
Russia’s demands include Ukraine abandoning its Nato ambitions, accepting the annexation of Crimea and occupied territories, and legal protections for the Russian language. Ukraine, led by president Volodymyr Zelensky, continues to push for firm security guarantees from western allies.
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