Vance says Russia “Asking Too Much” to end its Own Aggression in Ukraine
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance seems to be signaling that the Trump administration’s love affair with the Russian dictator may be over, saying today that Russia is “asking for too much” in the ongoing U.S.-mediated peace negotiations.
Speaking at the Munich Leaders Meeting in Washington, D.C., Vance emphasized the importance of establishing basic terms for direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow, with the United States continuing its role as mediator.
“The humanitarian impulse is to stop the killing,” Vance said, noting the devastating impact of the war on all parties involved. “It was the right thing to do to begin the negotiation process.”
He defended President Donald Trump’s initial approach to the conflict, saying it was essential to acknowledge Russia’s justifications—without endorsing them—as a means of opening dialogue. “You have to try to understand where the other side is coming from to end the conflict,” Vance said.
Vance also praised Trump’s efforts to push the Kremlin to clearly articulate its demands. “He’s been very deliberate about forcing Russia to put its cards on the table,” he said.
Commenting on Russia’s first formal proposal, Vance recalled the U.S. reaction: “‘You’re asking for too much.’ But that’s how negotiations work—you begin with ambitious positions.”
While Vance dismissed the notion that Russia is uninterested in peace, he maintained that its current conditions are unacceptable. “They want a resolution,” he said, “but the terms they’ve offered so far go beyond what’s reasonable.”
He did not clarify what the US considers reasonable or not.