**US Vice President Admits Ukraine Not on Track to Defeat Russia**
In a surprising admission, US Vice President JD Vance said that Ukraine is not likely to defeat Russia on the battlefield. This assessment was made while defending the Trump administration’s efforts to negotiate a peace deal between the two warring nations.
Speaking on the Charlie Kirk Show podcast, Vance expressed frustration with both sides in the conflict, saying “Sometimes you’re incredibly frustrated with the Ukrainians, sometimes you’re incredibly frustrated with the Russians.” Despite this, he claimed that the US team is “making progress” in negotiations, but a peace deal is not necessarily guaranteed.
**Peace Deal Not Guaranteed**
Vance’s comments are significant because they suggest that the US may be willing to accept a peace deal that does not favor Ukraine. This has been met with skepticism by some Ukrainian officials and European leaders who have expressed concerns about the terms of the proposed deal. The alternative plan put forth by Ukrainian and European officials involves US security guarantees and no promises of territorial concessions until after a full ceasefire is implemented.
**Russia’s Demands Remain High**
The Kremlin continues to insist on significant concessions from Ukraine, including recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated these demands on April 28, saying that Russia requires international recognition of its annexation of Crimea and the entirety of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts as a condition for peace talks.
**Societal Collapse and Nuclear War Risks**
Vance warned that if the war continues, both Russia and Ukraine would face societal collapse, millions more lives could be lost, and the risk of nuclear war would escalate. He emphasized that it is crucial to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, saying “It has to stop. It is the policy of this administration that it stops.”
**Ukraine’s President Reiterates Ceasefire Demand**
President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s demand for an unconditional truce in his face-to-face meeting with Trump at the Vatican on April 26. This highlights the divide between Ukraine and the US, which continues to push for a peace deal that may involve significant concessions from Kyiv.
**The Next Week Crucial**
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on April 27 that the next week will determine whether the US remains involved in the peace process or withdraws as a mediator altogether. This adds to the pressure on both sides to reach an agreement, but it is unclear what this might look like and at what cost to Ukraine.
As Abbey Fenbert, a senior news editor at the Kyiv Independent, notes, “The situation in Ukraine remains volatile and unpredictable.” It remains to be seen whether the US will be able to negotiate a peace deal that meets both Ukrainian and Russian demands.
