United States vows to restore "peace in Europe"
In the heart of England, Chevening House played host to a significant meeting as Vice President Mike Pence, Trump's number two, met with David Lammy, the British Foreign Secretary, on a family vacation in the UK.
Across the Atlantic, diplomatic efforts were underway as JD Vance, a key advisor to President Trump, engaged in discussions aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This upcoming summit in Anchorage, Alaska, will mark the first meeting between the leaders of the United States and Russia since Moscow launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Vance's mission, as he revealed to President Trump six months ago, is to bring peace back to Europe. In his quest, he emphasised the importance of a strong air force and army, echoing the sentiments of many involved in the negotiations.
In an attempt to secure Ukraine's security guarantees, Vance participated in a virtual meeting with allied countries. He also highlighted the historical alliance between the UK and the United States, from World War I to recent anti-terrorist interventions in Yemen, as a key to achieving victories for freedom, peace, and prosperity.
However, Vance's comments have not been without controversy. In March, his remarks describing Europe as "some countries that haven't been in a war for 30 or 40 years" drew criticism from all political quarters in the UK. He has also been a critic of Europe's military dependence on Washington, labelling them "constant security vassals".
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian president has already opposed the possibility raised by Trump of territorial concessions, particularly over Crimea and Donbas. Despite engagements, Russia has not confirmed its willingness for a direct summit with President Zelenskyy, insisting on having a say in discussions about security guarantees for Ukraine.
As negotiations continue, the U.S., under Trump's diplomacy, is playing a facilitator role but faces challenges due to Russia’s conditions and Ukraine's firm stance against territorial concessions.
In a separate development, Vance spoke to U.S. troops at the British military base of Fairford in southwest England, expressing his belief that their presence allows Trump's objectives to be achieved "through negotiation".
Despite criticising the UK for their lack of support in major conflicts the United States has been involved in, Vance and Lammy have been working together to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
[1] BBC News, "Ukraine crisis: Trump and Putin meet in Anchorage", 15 August 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58153417
[2] The Guardian, "Ukraine crisis: Trump and Putin meet in Anchorage", 15 August 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/15/ukraine-crisis-trump-and-putin-meet-in-anchorage
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