US Vice-President Vance Predicts Prolonged Ukraine Conflict

Vance’s remarks suggest that the US administration faces complex challenges in mediating the ongoing conflict as fighting continues and both sides hold firm on territorial disputes.

US Vice-President JD Vance expressed in a recent interview with Fox News that the war in Ukraine is "not going to end any time soon." He emphasized the necessity for the US administration to aid Russia and Ukraine in finding common ground to halt the ongoing conflict, which has now persisted for over three years. Despite acknowledging the anger Ukrainians feel due to the invasion, Vance questioned whether continuing to sacrifice thousands of soldiers over territorial disputes was wise.

His statements followed a new partnership agreement between Washington and Kyiv allowing the US to benefit economically from Ukraine's rare earth minerals in exchange for ongoing security assistance. Vance defended former President Donald Trump's viewpoint on the situation. This week, Trump suggested that Ukraine might consider relinquishing Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, as part of a peace deal.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that conceding to Russian control of Crimea would not align with constitutional principles. In parallel, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the urgency for a breakthrough in the situation, suggesting Trump would need to evaluate his involvement if progress is not made.

While Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary three-day ceasefire coinciding with World War Two commemorations, fighting has continued unabated. Recently, Ukraine's southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia experienced a Russian drone strike that resulted in 14 injuries. In turn, Moscow accused Ukraine of a drone attack on a market in Russian-held territory, which led to multiple casualties, a claim Kyiv denied, asserting its operation was against military targets.