U.S. Vice President JD Vance emphasized on Friday that Washington holds both economic and military influence that could shape negotiations with Russia to secure a favorable peace agreement regarding Ukraine. However, his spokesperson later clarified that his remarks were not intended as a direct threat to Moscow.
Speaking ahead of the Munich Security Conference, a major international forum for political and military discussions, Vance urged European nations to increase their defense spending. In his keynote speech at the conference, he criticized the European Union’s policies on hate speech and misinformation, arguing that they amounted to censorship.
Although Vance only briefly mentioned Ukraine in his speech, calling for a “reasonable settlement,” the topic remained central to discussions at the event. The issue gained further attention following former President Donald Trump’s unexpected call to Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling the start of potential peace talks.
Before the conference, Vance told The Wall Street Journal that Trump could leverage various economic and military strategies in discussions with Putin. However, his spokesperson, William Martin, later clarified on social media that Vance was not making any explicit threats but was merely acknowledging that no options would be taken off the table for Trump during negotiations.
According to a transcript shared by Martin, Vance responded to a question about Washington’s potential pressure tactics on Putin by stating that the U.S. had a wide range of options, including economic and military tools. However, none of these specifics were mentioned during his speech, where he instead focused on criticizing EU policies and highlighting concerns over free speech and immigration in Europe.
A Reuters correspondent reported that Vance’s speech was met with silence in one of the side rooms where delegates were watching, with no applause following his remarks.
European Concerns Over Ukraine Negotiations
The Kremlin reacted to Vance’s comments, seeking clarification from the U.S. on his remarks. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that such statements had not been heard before from Washington.
Echoing Vance’s statements, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested that sanctions could be used as a bargaining tool in negotiations with Russia, stating that Trump would determine the level of economic pressure necessary.
Trump’s outreach to Putin has raised concerns among European leaders, who fear they may be sidelined in any future negotiations. There are worries that a deal overly favorable to Russia could undermine European security.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned against a superficial peace deal that ignored the interests of Ukraine and European nations, stressing that such an agreement would not ensure long-term stability. Germany’s defense minister also criticized the idea of limiting Ukraine’s aspirations for NATO membership or ceding any occupied territory to Russia, arguing that doing so would weaken Ukraine’s position.
Currently, Russia controls around 20% of Ukraine, nearly three years after launching its full-scale invasion. Moscow has justified its actions by claiming Ukraine’s NATO ambitions pose a security threat, while Kyiv and its allies view Russia’s actions as an illegal territorial grab.
Calls for Greater European Defense Spending
Vance reiterated Trump’s stance that Europe should assume greater responsibility for its own defense, allowing the U.S. to prioritize other geopolitical regions, particularly the Indo-Pacific.
During a bilateral meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Vance stated that Europe must play a larger role in securing its own future. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte supported this position, agreeing that European nations must significantly increase their defense budgets.
Several European leaders acknowledged the need for increased military spending and discussed strategies to gradually decrease reliance on U.S. support. As a senator, Vance had previously expressed skepticism about Washington’s involvement in Ukraine, once stating in a 2022 podcast that he had little interest in the outcome of the conflict.
Saudi Arabia Welcomes Trump-Putin Dialogue
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia praised Trump’s phone call with Putin, expressing support for a potential meeting between the two leaders in the kingdom. Peskov indicated that such a meeting could take months to arrange, possibly taking place in Riyadh.
Trump has maintained close ties with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was the first foreign leader he contacted after assuming office. The Saudi leader has also played a role in past diplomatic negotiations, including facilitating the largest U.S.-Russia prisoner exchange since the Cold War.
Alleged Russian Drone Attack on Chernobyl
On the military front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of targeting the Chernobyl nuclear power plant with a drone strike, though Moscow denied the allegation.
According to Zelensky, a Russian attack drone hit the containment structure of the plant’s fourth reactor, the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster. Ukrainian authorities stated that radiation levels remained stable despite the incident.
Security footage shared by Zelensky showed an explosion on the Chernobyl structure at 2:02 a.m. local time. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed an explosion had occurred but reported that radiation levels were normal both inside and outside the plant.
In response, the Kremlin dismissed the accusations, calling them baseless. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Zelensky of orchestrating a staged provocation to gain international support and secure more aid from Western allies.
Throughout the war, Russia has targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure, significantly reducing the country’s electricity capacity and causing widespread power outages. The IAEA has consistently warned of the dangers posed by military activity near nuclear sites, emphasizing the risks of potential radiation leaks.
Despite Russian denials, Ukrainian officials urged the IAEA to intensify efforts to prevent future attacks on nuclear facilities. Zelensky condemned Russia as the only country willing to endanger global security by attacking nuclear plants, warning of severe consequences if such actions continued.
