US Vice President JD Vance said on Wednesday that European countries must take primary responsibility for guaranteeing Ukraine’s security, signalling Washington’s intention to step back from carrying the bulk of the effort.

“I don’t think we should carry the burden here,” Vance told Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle. “I think that we should be helpful if it’s necessary to stop the war and to stop the killing. But I think that we should expect, and the president certainly expects, Europe to play the leading role here.”

The comments underline a growing push from the Trump administration for Nato allies and European governments to commit more resources to Ukraine as talks continue over possible security guarantees in a post-war settlement.

Vance stressed that while the US would not disengage, the White House believes Europe must now take charge. “No matter what form this takes, the Europeans are going to have to take the lion’s share of the burden,” he said.

The vice president’s remarks come as President Donald Trump met last Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and on Monday hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and prominent European leaders at the White House.

Trump is trying to steer Putin and Zelenskyy toward a settlement more than three years after Russia invaded its neighbour. “We need strong security guarantees to ensure a truly secure and lasting peace,” Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post on Wednesday after Russian missile and drone strikes hit six regions of Ukraine overnight.

Kyiv’s European allies are looking to set up a force that could backstop any peace agreement, and a coalition of 30 countries, including European nations, Japan, and Australia, has signed up to support the initiative.

Military chiefs are figuring out how that security force might work. The role that the US might play is unclear. Trump on Tuesday ruled out sending US troops to help defend Ukraine against Russia.

– Ends

With inputs from agencies

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