Vance accused of 'disrespecting' British troops
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British politicians have criticised JD Vance for an interview he gave to Fox News last night.
One line has picked up significant attention in the UK: Vance said that the US-proposed rare minerals deal - which remains unsigned - was a "way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years".
His remarks were interpreted by many UK media outlets, politicians and armed forces personnel as referring to the UK and France - the only two countries which have so far said they would be willing to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if and when the war ends.
"It’s deeply disrespectful to ignore such service & sacrifice," shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge writes on X.
Similar remarks were shared by the former veterans minister, Johnny Mercer, who also calls Vance a "clown".
Lib Dem MP Helen Maguire, a former captain, says Vance is "erasing the hundreds of British troops who gave their lives in Iraq + Afghanistan from history".
In response, Vance writes on X: "This is absurdly dishonest. I don’t even mention the UK or France in the clip, both of whom have fought bravely alongside the US over the last 20 years, and beyond."
The Ukrainian president says last week's fiery Oval Office meeting "did not go the way it was supposed to", adding Kyiv is ready to sign a minerals deal.
www.bbc.co.uk