CNN
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On Thursday, Vice President JD Vance issued a warning regarding the potential for the United States to deploy troops to Ukraine and impose additional penalties on Russia if President Vladimir Putin fails to engage in sincere peace negotiations.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Vance stated that the possibility of sending American forces to Ukraine is “on the table.” He emphasized that economic sanctions could follow if a peace agreement does not ensure the long-term sovereignty of Kyiv.

“There are economic levers that can be utilized, as well as military options,” Vance informed the newspaper.

His remarks present a stark contrast to recent statements from the White House, including comments from US President Donald Trump, who indicated this week that Ukraine “could eventually belong to Russia,” just prior to announcing that peace discussions would initiate following a call with Putin.

Vance’s statements also diverge from those of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who asserted that the US would reduce its focus on European and Ukrainian security matters. This week, he informed NATO allies that only European and non-European forces, not American troops, would be responsible for enforcing any agreements made between Ukraine and Russia.

CNN has reached out to the White House for a response.

The Wall Street Journal’s interview with Vance was published just before his scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the prestigious Munich Security Conference in Germany.

This adds to the growing sense of uncertainty in Europe, following Trump’s announcement that raised concerns about a possible “dirty deal” with Putin, which could allow the conflict to resolve in a manner beneficial to Moscow, sidelining Kyiv.

Many in Europe expressed shock and dismay at Trump’s apparent concessions to Moscow prior to commencing peace talks. His and Hegseth’s remarks have further stirred questions about the future of NATO’s cohesion, resources, and funding, which have been vital for European security since World War II.

There was also disbelief that Trump spoke to Putin prior to reaching out to Zelensky, prompting European leaders to clarify on Thursday that any resolution must prioritize Ukraine’s involvement in the negotiations.

Following Trump’s announcement regarding the negotiations, French President Emmanuel Macron described his return to the White House as an “electroshock” for Europe in an interview with the Financial Times.

Macron emphasized the necessity for Europe to reinforce its economy and defense, echoing Trump’s view that ensuring Ukraine’s security is a European duty. However, he underscored that Ukraine must represent its interests in negotiations, cautioning that any peace stemming from “capitulation” would spell trouble for all parties involved.