US vice president says US and Ukraine are partners but differ on energy strikes on Russia
US Vice President JD Vance has stated that Washington will continue cooperation with Kyiv on specific issues whilst simultaneously calling on Ukraine to cease attacks on Russian diesel production facilities which, he claimed, are driving up energy costs for Americans.
Source: Vance in an interview with 2WAY TONIGHT, as reported by European Pravda
Details: In response to a direct question on whether Ukraine is an ally of the United States, Vance said that "they are certainly a partner in some ways".
Quote: "But I think we, you know, have some divergent interests from time to time. Like, for example, do I think they should be bombing Russian diesel facilities that raise the cost of energy for Americans? No. But obviously, we work with them on some things. We're going to keep on working with them on some things. But I think they should stop bombing Russian energy."
Details: In response to a follow-up question regarding whether the concept of "partner" implies a less close relationship than "ally", Vance noted that the US does not "have a formal alliance, as far as I know, with Ukraine".
Quote: "They're not in NATO. I don't think they should be in NATO. I think they're a very admirable country, a beautiful country with a lot of amazing people. We're going to work together on some things, but also we're going to be opposite on some things, too."
Background:
- On 14 October, against the backdrop of a diesel agreement concluded between Russia and the US, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is losing a strong partner.
- The Ukrainian president also stated that easing pressure on Russia would not help stop the war but instead sends a signal to Russian ruler Vladimir Putin that his actions have support.
- He made these remarks when commenting on Trump's order to suspend certain sanctions, restrictions and tariffs against Russia provided for under the Graham Act.
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