US Vice President JD Vance is facing backlash after downplaying the role of British troops in past conflicts, with critics calling his remarks an insult to the memory of those who died fighting
alongside American forces.
Vance, a close ally of Donald Trump, dismissed a proposed UK- and France-led peacekeeping force for Ukraine, arguing that the best way to deter future Russian aggression was through American economic interests rather than international military deployments.
“If you want real security guarantees, if you want to actually ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine again, the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine,” Vance said during an appearance on Fox News. “That is a way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that has not fought a war in 30 or 40 years.”
His comments sparked outrage in the UK, particularly among veterans and former defense officials.
‘Deeply insulting’ to fallen British troops
Lord Beamish, a former British defence minister and ex-Labour MP for North Durham, condemned Vance’s remarks, calling them “insulting” and hurtful to those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“This type of talk isn’t helpful and will be insulting and very hurtful to the memories of those who died and still suffer today from injuries from Iraq and Afghanistan and who fought alongside American forces,” he told The Standard.
Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson Helen Maguire, a former Captain in the Royal Military Police who served in Iraq, also criticised Vance for dismissing the sacrifices of British soldiers.
“JD Vance is erasing from history the hundreds of British troops who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan,” she said. “I saw firsthand how American and British soldiers fought bravely together, shoulder to shoulder.
“Six of my own regiment, the Royal Military Police, didn’t return home from Iraq. This is a sinister attempt to deny that reality.”
British sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan
Over 450 British service members lost their lives in Afghanistan during the 20-year campaign following the 2001 US-led invasion in response to the 9/11 attacks. The UK also played a key role in the Iraq War, fighting alongside American troops in intense combat operations.
Vance’s remarks have reignited tensions over the US administration’s stance on European military contributions, particularly as NATO allies weigh their involvement in Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia. Photo by Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia commons.
