Fury as Trump’s No2 JD Vance mocks UK for ‘not fighting a war in 30 years’ – forgetting Afghanistan & Iraq
US VICE President JD Vance was told to "wind his neck in" today after branding Britain “some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years”.
Some 636 Brits died fighting alongside the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the comments branded “deeply offensive.”
Donald Trump's deputy made the remarks while pressing Volodymyr Zelensky to sign a minerals deal following their extraordinary dust-up in the Oval Office last week.
He also appeared to dismiss Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to station peacekeeping troops in Ukraine following any ceasefire deal with Russia.
Mr Vance told Fox News: “If you want real security guarantees, if you want to actually ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine again, the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine."
“That is a way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn't fought a war in 30 or 40 years.
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Politicians of all parties joined with forces heroes in blasting the Vice President's remarks.
Former Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer, who served as a commando in Afghanistan, said: “Vance needs to wind his neck in.”
He added: “Show a bit of respect and stop making yourself look so unpleasant.”
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge rebuked Mr Vance for being "deeply disrespectful for ignoring such service and sacrifice" of British troops.
It came as:
- Trump is reportedly drawing up plans to give Russia relief from damaging sanctions
- Trump accused Zelensky of "gambling with World War Three" during their fiery White House clash
- Ukraine confirmed huge Russian missile strike on training base on Monday
- European oil giant demands ban on refuelling US warships after 'biggest s**tshow' clash between Trump and Zelensky
- A top Trump official suggests Zelensky may have to quit as President of Ukraine to get peace talks back on track
- UK and France will lead new ‘coalition of the willing’ for peace in Ukraine, PM Keir Starmer says
Ex-Armed Forces Minister and veteran James Heappey hit back at Mr Vance’s “sad” interpretation of history today.
He said: “Serving with America and France were defining moments of my military career... Sad to hear the relationship reduced to this.”
Branding the comments "deeply offensive", Lib Dem MP and former major Mike Martin said: "I’ve been under fire with American soldiers in Afghanistan – a war we joined to support them after 9/11.”
His party colleague Helen Maguire - a former captain - added: "JD Vance is erasing from history the hundreds of British troops who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I saw firsthand how American and British soldiers fought bravely together shoulder to shoulder.
"Six of my own regiment, the Royal Military Police, didn’t return home from Iraq. This is a sinister attempt to deny that reality."
Labour MP David Taylor said: “This great nation has proudly fought shoulder to shoulder with our US allies, with 457 service men and women killed defending freedom in Afghanistan alone.
Show a bit of respect and stop making yourself look so unpleasant
Former minister Johnny Mercer
“These shameful remarks will never undo their sacrifice or the gratitude this nation has for their defence of British values.”
It echoed a tidal wave of backlash in the UK to his remarks on social media.
SAS legend Andy McNab, who fought in the First Gulf War, said, invited Vance to visit Britain’s war memorials.
The author of best-selling Bravo Two Zero said: “He needs to read the names of the dead who have fought and shed blood alongside US troops.”
Ex-Army chief General Sir Patrick Sanders said: “I fought alongside the US in Iraq and Afghanistan over almost two decades so I obviously don’t agree with Vance’s remarks.
“But I worry that public abuse will just make Keir’s job harder, when we really need to help him.”
Vance served four years in the US Marine Corps including a short six-month tour as public affairs soldier.
It came as Mr Trump today halted all US military aid to Ukraine for the foreseeable future.
The US has now paused aid to the war-torn country until Zelensky's government shows a commitment to peace negotiations, a senior Trump administration official told Fox News.
The official said: "This is not permanent termination of aid, it's a pause."
Trump's move might have an immediate impact on Ukrainian stockpiles, though some experts believe the country has enough weapons to fight until the summer at its current level.
It will affect all American military equipment not delivered to Ukraine, including weapons in transit and currently in Poland.
The directive also suspends funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which uses US monies to purchase new gear.
On Monday, Trump said that Zelensky "will not be around very long" unless he agrees to America's terms on a peace deal.
He told reporters at the White House: "It should not be that hard a deal to make.
"It could be made very fast. Now, maybe somebody doesn't want to make a deal, and if somebody doesn't want to make a deal, I think that person won't be around very long.
"That person will not be listened to very long."
It comes just hours after the US President blasted Zelensky in a Truth Social post saying "this guy doesn’t want there to be peace".
Trump was responding to a quote from the Ukrainian leader in which he said an end to the conflict with Russia is still "very, very far away".
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The Republican firebrand described his quotes as the "worst statement that could have been made".
His post continued: "America will not put up with it for much longer.
