US Vice President JD Vance has said the war between Russia and Ukraine continues despite months of talks because neither side is currently ready to reach a peace agreement.

Source: Vance in an interview with Newsmax

Quote: "As much as energetic diplomacy from the president of the United States can get people to the one-yard line, eventually you have to have the two parties who are willing to cut a deal. And right now, for all of our work, and we're going to keep on working at it, the Russians and the Ukrainians are just not at the point where they can make a deal."

Details: Vance added that a peace settlement remains possible, but it will require "a lot more work". He said the main obstacle lies in a "fundamental misalignment of expectations", as Russians believe they hold stronger positions on the battlefield than they actually do.

The vice president also said that Trump's approach to foreign policy has advanced negotiations further than under previous administrations. In his view, "energetic diplomacy that empowers people on the ground" and allows "unconventional means" is more effective.

Discussing economic pressure tools, Vance said the Trump administration considers tariffs more effective than sanctions. He emphasised that sanctions have failed to deliver desired results for decades, while tariffs can serve as a practical tool to influence Russia's behaviour.

Vance also said that Trump is holding talks with India and China to reduce purchases of Russian oil and curb Moscow's energy export revenues.

According to Vance, the US president sometimes loses patience with everyone involved in the process, but "so long as he keeps working on it, the president has great confidence he can strike a deal".

"I think that he will. It's just a question of how long it's going to take," he concluded.

Background:

• On 16 October, the US and Russian leaders held their first conversation in nearly two months. After the call, Donald Trump said the two would meet again – this time in Budapest.
• On 17 October, Trump is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington, with the possible delivery of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine among the key topics for discussion.
• Trump also stated that now is not the right time to impose new sanctions on Russia, as it could complicate or derail the planned meeting with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

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