Vance Declares US “Out of Business” of Arming Ukraine

(WASHINGTON, DC) – US Vice President JD Vance has said the United States will no longer fund or supply weapons directly to Ukraine, marking a significant shift in Washington’s approach to the war.

Speaking at a Turning Point USA event in Georgia, Vance said the administration had decided to step back from purchasing and transferring arms to Kyiv. He said European allies would be free to buy weapons themselves if they wished to continue supporting Ukraine militarily.

“It was actually during a Senate event that I had done where I had somebody who came up to me,” Vance said, referring to a Ukrainian American attendee in Cleveland, Ohio. “This person got really agitated at me because I was saying we should stop funding the Ukraine war. And I still believe that.”

He added that one of the administration’s key decisions had been to inform Europe that responsibility for weapons procurement could shift. “We’ve told Europe that if you want to buy weapons, you can. But the United States is not buying weapons and sending them to Ukraine anymore. We’re just out of that business,” he said, describing the move as “a very good thing”.

The remarks come amid heightened global tensions, including conflict involving Iran, and suggest a broader reassessment of US foreign policy priorities.

Vance also addressed criticism of his views, including comments by Pope Francis on the morality of war. The Pope had said that God is never on the side of those who wield the sword. Vance said he respected the Pope’s advocacy for peace but questioned the absolute nature of the statement.

“How can you say that God is never on the side of those who wield the sword?” Vance said, citing the role of US forces in liberating France during the Second World War and freeing prisoners from Nazi concentration camps. “I certainly think the answer is yes.”

He added that religious leaders should exercise care when speaking on matters of theology, saying such views should be grounded in truth.

Turning to the Middle East, Vance rejected accusations that the administration had supported a genocide in Gaza. He said the humanitarian situation had been severe when the administration took office, but argued that conditions had improved.

“You know who’s the person who got a peace agreement in Gaza? Donald J Trump,” he said. He added that more humanitarian aid was now entering Gaza than at any time in the past five years, and said the administration had prioritised addressing the crisis.

Vance also spoke about recent diplomatic engagement with Iran, noting that the United States had held high level talks with Iranian officials for the first time in nearly five decades.

“The United States had never had meetings at that level with the Iranian government in 49 years,” he said. He acknowledged longstanding mistrust but said there was a willingness on both sides to negotiate.

“I think the people we were sitting across from wanted to make a deal,” he said, adding that US officials had been instructed to negotiate in good faith.

He reiterated that the US position remained that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon and said negotiations were ongoing to ensure that outcome.

Vance also referred to a ceasefire currently in place, describing it as holding after several days, though he gave no further details.

The shift in US policy on Ukraine is likely to place increased pressure on European governments to expand their military support for Kyiv as the war continues.