Vance Urges Diplomacy in Ukraine War, Avoids Labeling Putin as “Enemy”

Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio), former President Trump’s running mate, described Russian President Vladimir Putin as an “adversary” rather than an “enemy” during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, emphasizing diplomacy as the path to ending the war in Ukraine. When asked if he views Putin as an enemy, Vance responded, “Well, we’re not in a war with him, and I don’t want to be in a war with Vladimir Putin’s Russia.” He argued for negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, NATO, and Europe, stressing that “sometimes you do have to engage in diplomacy even with, and maybe especially with, your adversaries.”

Vance clarified that he opposes Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but considers diplomatic engagement essential to resolving the conflict. Meanwhile, Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, criticized proposals encouraging Ukraine to negotiate quickly, calling them “proposals for surrender.”