JD Vance, the U.S. Vice President, is facing strong backlash following comments he made in a Fox News interview, where he appeared to disregard Britain's military contributions by referring to it as a "random country that hasn't fought a war in 30 or 40 years." The remarks have ignited a wave of criticism from British veterans, Members of Parliament (MPs), and public figures, who are demanding an apology for what they perceive as a disrespectful dismissal of British soldiers' sacrifices.
The controversy arose during a discussion in which Mr Vance dismissed British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's proposal for a joint peacekeeping force in Ukraine, which would include British and French troops. Instead, he advocated for Ukraine to enter into a minerals deal with U.S. President Donald Trump, asserting that this would provide a more effective security guarantee than the presence of international troops. He stated, "If you want real security guarantees... the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine."
His comments have been met with outrage from several quarters, particularly from those familiar with the sacrifices made by British servicemen. Approximately 636 British troops lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan in the two decades following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and many feel that Mr Vance's language fails to acknowledge that shared history of sacrifice.
Liberal Democrat MP Helen Maguire, a former captain in the Royal Military Police who served in Iraq, publicly condemned Mr Vance's comments, stating, "JD Vance is erasing from history the hundreds of British troops who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan." She emphasised the joint efforts of American and British soldiers, adding, "Six of my own regiment, the Royal Military Police, didn't return home from Iraq. This is a sinister attempt to deny that reality."
Following the backlash, Mr Vance attempted to clarify his statements, insisting that he had not intended to disparage Britain or France and that his remarks were directed at countries that "have neither the battlefield experience nor the military equipment to do anything meaningful." However, this explanation has not sufficed to quell the anger, and calls for a formal apology continue.
Notable figures from both the Conservative and Labour parties voiced their criticisms. Conservative MP and former veterans minister Johnny Mercer labelled Mr Vance's remarks as "shameful" and stated, "Show a bit of respect and stop making yourself look so unpleasant." Meanwhile, Labour MP David Taylor highlighted the depth of the UK’s military relationship with the U.S., stating, "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."
Though Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch suggested that Mr Vance was misrepresented in his comments, other party members countered that his remarks contradicted the established camaraderie between British and American forces. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge underscored the historical bond, noting, “Britain and France came to their aid deploying thousands of personnel to Afghanistan.”
As tensions simmer over Mr Vance's comments, relations between the U.S. and the UK appear strained. The remarks were made in the context of a broader discussion involving U.S. military aid to Ukraine, which is currently under review following comments from President Trump. The ongoing debate concerning military support and peacekeeping in Ukraine further complicates perspectives on international military alliances, highlighting the delicate nature of diplomatic relations amid global conflict.
This incident has unfolded as Sir Keir Starmer works to forge a coalition of support for Ukraine, aiming to garner contributions from several European allies while ensuring that any deployment of British soldiers would come with a solid foundation of security guarantees. In light of the ongoing diplomatic discussions, Mr Vance's comments may have significant implications on both U.S.-UK relations and broader international military cooperation efforts.
Source: Noah Wire Services