JD Vance is under fire for comments made regarding a proposed Anglo-French troop deployment to Ukraine. The US Vice President's remarks have sparked controversy and drawn sharp rebukes from politicians in the UK, France, and responses from Algeria.
The Controversial Comments
The furor stems from Vance's apparent description of the Anglo-French deployment as "20,000 troops from some random country that has not fought a war in 30 or 40 years." These comments, reportedly made during an interview on Fox News, were perceived as deeply disrespectful by many, particularly in the United Kingdom. Vance later disputed these claims on X, but the damage was done.
“These comments are deeply disrespectful to our armed forces and to our allies,” stated a UK MP. The controversy comes at a sensitive time, as Downing Street has confirmed that Keir Starmer recently spoke with Donald Trump as part of ongoing efforts to salvage a faltering peace plan for Ukraine.
Responses from Across Europe
The remarks have had wider repercussions. Politicians in Paris also reacted strongly. Furthermore, the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that Algeria will apply strict and immediate reciprocity to any restrictions imposed on mobility between Algeria and France, effectively rejecting any ultimatums or threats from France related to the controversy, even though not directly related. This highlights the ripple effect of Vance's statements on international relations.
Orbán and Macron to Discuss Ukraine
In related news, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The talks are expected to focus on Ukraine, a topic on which Macron has been striving to maintain unity among European nations, while Orbán has consistently pushed back against certain policies.
The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear what long-term impact Vance's comments will have on international relations. The incident underscores the importance of diplomatic sensitivity, particularly during times of geopolitical tension. The article on *Repubblica* was also attacked by Vance for what he described as "dishonest reconstructions".