Vance refused to call Kiev a US ally and opposed Ukraine's NATO membership
US Vice President JD Vance did not call Ukraine an ally of the United States, describing it as a partner with whom Washington has disagreements on certain issues. He also opposed Ukraine's accession to NATO and called on Kiev to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
Vance stated this on October 19 in an interview with journalist Mark Halperin for the program 2WAY Tonight.
During the conversation, the journalist directly asked the vice president whether Ukraine is a US ally. Vance did not answer affirmatively, instead emphasizing the partnership nature of relations between the countries.
"Ukraine is certainly a partner on certain issues, but from time to time our interests diverge", - Vance stated.
As an example of such disagreements, he cited Ukrainian strikes on Russian diesel fuel production facilities. In the vice president's opinion, these attacks lead to an increase in the cost of energy for American consumers.
"Do I think they should bomb Russian diesel fuel production facilities, because of which the cost of energy for Americans rises? No", - he said.
At the same time, Vance stressed that the US will continue to cooperate with Ukraine in those areas where the interests of the two states coincide.
When the journalist asked whether the concept of "partner" means a less close relationship than "ally," the vice president pointed to the absence of a formal military alliance between Washington and Kiev.
"As far as I know, we do not have a formal alliance with Ukraine. It is not in NATO. And I do not think it should be in NATO", - Vance stated.
He added that he considers Ukraine a country with many outstanding people, but this does not rule out contradictions in relations with the US. According to him, Washington and Kiev will cooperate on some issues, but may hold opposite positions on others.
Vance's statement came amid the escalation of relations between Ukraine and the administration of Donald Trump due to American agreements with Russia on the supply of diesel fuel and demands to stop Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Earlier, on October 18, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also avoided a direct answer to the question of whether the American administration considers Ukraine its ally. During an interview with NBC News, the journalist tried three times to get an answer, but Bessent limited himself to listing American assistance to Kiev.
Source: 2WAY Tonight
