Trump's choice of running mate worries Ukraine

J D Vance is one of the leading opponents to the US's Ukraine support in the American Congress. That he has been elected as Donald Trump's vice presidential candidate raises concern in Kiev.

» Published: July 17 2024

Trump's choice of running mate worries Ukraine
Photo: Evan Vucci/AP/TT

J D Vance is one of the leading opponents to the US's Ukraine support in the American Congress. His election as Donald Trump's vice presidential candidate raises concerns in Kiev.

"Honestly, I don't care how it goes for Ukraine, one way or the other," said J D Vance in a podcast in February 2022 with Trump's former advisor Steve Bannon, just before Russia's full-scale invasion.

This view on the war in Ukraine has characterized the 39-year-old Ohio senator's time in the US Congress. He has strongly criticized the Biden administration's large economic support to Ukraine's army.

"Clear signal"

Vance played a crucial role in attempts to stop a support package to Ukraine worth 60 billion dollars earlier this year. It was finally approved by Congress, but the delay led to Ukraine having to ration ammunition and lose territory.

The choice of Vance is a clear signal for us, says Ukrainian parliamentarian Inna Sovsun from the liberal party Holos to Financial Times.

If Trump and Vance win in November, Ukraine must think out a new strategy for communicating with the Americans.

Vance, like Donald Trump, wants Kiev to be willing to give up Russian-occupied territories to end the war. Like Trump, he has criticized Europe for being too dependent on the US and NATO for its security.

J D Vance can be described as an aggressive attack dog who is extremely loyal to Trump, says Björn Ottosson, a US researcher at the Total Defense Research Institute (FOI), to TT.

He has in various statements gone further than Trump when it comes to NATO and support to Ukraine.

The US is the largest provider of economic support and military equipment to Ukraine. Vance wants the US to instead focus on the threat from China and on stopping illegal immigration at the Mexican border.

He means that the US's support to NATO and assistance to Ukraine takes away focus from China, which he sees as the main problem, says Ottosson.

Reinforcing slogan

Trump's choice of the young senator is seen as a step away from those parts of the Republicans who want to see continued American engagement in Ukraine and NATO.

It's a way to reinforce Trump's slogan "America first", so that it lives on even after Trump, says Ottosson.

It's also clear that he doesn't like (Ukraine's president) Volodymyr Zelenskyj. Vance has been critical of Zelenskyj's statements that the US should prioritize Ukraine and means that he is interfering in American politics.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Protests Persist in Istanbul Over
1 MIN READ

Protests Persist in Istanbul Over Mayor's Arrest

Guinea Pardons Ex-Dictator Camara After
1 MIN READ

Guinea Pardons Ex-Dictator Camara After Arena Massacre Sentence

Over 100,000 Russian Soldiers Confirmed
1 MIN READ

Over 100,000 Russian Soldiers Confirmed Dead in Ukraine Conflict

Denmark Criticizes US VP Vance's
1 MIN READ

Denmark Criticizes US VP Vance's Remarks on Greenland Visit

US Expands Airstrikes in Yemen
2 MIN READ

US Expands Airstrikes in Yemen Targeting Houthi-Controlled Areas

FDA Vaccine Chief Resigns, Cites
1 MIN READ

FDA Vaccine Chief Resigns, Cites Kennedy's Misinformation

16 Maoist Rebels Killed in
1 MIN READ

16 Maoist Rebels Killed in Ongoing Clashes with Indian Forces

Football Fan Discovers Sensitive UK
2 MIN READ

Football Fan Discovers Sensitive UK Military Documents in Trash Bag

Rescue Efforts Intensify After Myanmar
2 MIN READ

Rescue Efforts Intensify After Myanmar Earthquake Leaves Thousands Trapped

Columbia University President Steps Down
1 MIN READ

Columbia University President Steps Down After Funding Agreement

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Russian Drone Attack on Dnipro Leaves Four Dead, Many Injured

Yemen's Huthi Movement Accuses US
1 MIN READ

Yemen's Huthi Movement Accuses US of Airstrikes on Sanaa

Damascus Lifts Alcohol Ban in
1 MIN READ

Damascus Lifts Alcohol Ban in Christian Quarters After Protests

South Sudan's Vice President Riek
1 MIN READ

South Sudan's Vice President Riek Machar Placed Under House Arrest

Trump and Canada's Carney Report
2 MIN READ

Trump and Canada's Carney Report Productive Talks on US-Canada Relations

Ukraine Recovers 909 Soldiers' Remains
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Recovers 909 Soldiers' Remains from Russian Conflict

Frederiksen Calls Vance's Criticism of
2 MIN READ

Frederiksen Calls Vance's Criticism of Denmark Unfair During Greenland Visit

Greenland's New Government Aims for
2 MIN READ

Greenland's New Government Aims for Stability and Unity

Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse Caught on
1 MIN READ

Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse Caught on Camera in 30 Seconds

Putin and Erdogan Talk Black
1 MIN READ

Putin and Erdogan Talk Black Sea Deal and Sanctions Relief

Denmark Proposes Defense Pact with
2 MIN READ

Denmark Proposes Defense Pact with US Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Netanyahu Warns of Renewed Strikes
2 MIN READ

Netanyahu Warns of Renewed Strikes on Beirut After Ceasefire Breach

Myanmar Earthquake Adds to Struggles
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake Adds to Struggles in War-Torn Nation

Seismologist Warns of Severe Impact
1 MIN READ

Seismologist Warns of Severe Impact After Myanmar Earthquake

Russian Strikes Hit Ukrainian Energy
1 MIN READ

Russian Strikes Hit Ukrainian Energy Sites as Ceasefire Talks Falter

Swedes in Bangkok Share Earthquake
3 MIN READ

Swedes in Bangkok Share Earthquake Fears as City Grapples with Aftershocks

Istanbul Mayor's Lawyer Arrested in
1 MIN READ

Istanbul Mayor's Lawyer Arrested in Turkey, Sparking Outcry

Myanmar Earthquake: Over 150 Dead,
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake: Over 150 Dead, Thousands Feared Lost

US Vice President Visits Greenland
2 MIN READ

US Vice President Visits Greenland Base as Tensions Simmer

Greenlanders Anxious Over US Interest
3 MIN READ

Greenlanders Anxious Over US Interest as Trump Sparks Debate

US VP Visit to Greenland
2 MIN READ

US VP Visit to Greenland Base Sparks Tension and Uncertainty

Canada's New PM Carney Declares
1 MIN READ

Canada's New PM Carney Declares Shift in US Relations

Seized Superyacht Linked to Money
1 MIN READ

Seized Superyacht Linked to Money Laundering Fetches 108 Million

Rubio Warns Venezuela Against Aggression
1 MIN READ

Rubio Warns Venezuela Against Aggression Towards Guyana

Judge Orders Preservation of Leaked
1 MIN READ

Judge Orders Preservation of Leaked Chat on Yemen Discussions

King Charles Hospitalized for Observation
1 MIN READ

King Charles Hospitalized for Observation Due to Treatment Side Effects

Iran Replies to Trump's Nuclear
1 MIN READ

Iran Replies to Trump's Nuclear Energy Letter via Oman

Belgium Probes 40+ Drink-Spiking Rape
1 MIN READ

Belgium Probes 40+ Drink-Spiking Rape Cases in Kortrijk Bars

Denmark Eases Health Criteria to
1 MIN READ

Denmark Eases Health Criteria to Boost Defense Recruitment

Four Parties Form New Coalition
1 MIN READ

Four Parties Form New Coalition in Greenland's Government