Keir Starmer has addressed recent comments by US Vice President JD Vance, which have sparked a diplomatic row between the UK and the United States. Vance, during a Fox News interview, dismissed the UK as “a random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years,” a statement that has generated considerable backlash both in the UK and internationally.
The exchange followed Starmer’s visit to Washington DC, where he met with Vance and former President Donald Trump to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The visit came just before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting at the White House, which was characterised by tense moments, including questions regarding Ukraine’s gratitude for international support and criticism of Zelenskyy’s attire.
Vance’s comments became more contentious after he dismissed the UK and France’s proposals to send peacekeeping forces to Ukraine. He argued that economic incentives, such as a US-Ukraine minerals deal, would provide a more effective security guarantee than military involvement from countries with less recent combat experience.
He said: “That is a way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 or 40 years.”
This remark was quickly interpreted as a direct slight against the UK, given Britain’s significant military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan alongside US forces. The statement drew condemnation from British veterans and officials, who deemed it disrespectful to the sacrifices made by British troops. One MP, a veteran of the Iraq conflict, expressed that Vance’s comments insulted the memory of those British soldiers who fought alongside American forces.
In response, Downing Street defended the UK’s military history and its ongoing contributions to global security. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Starmer issued a statement, affirming: “The Prime Minister, and I think this whole country, is full of admiration for all British troops who have served, for instance, in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of whom have lost their lives in the process, and have fought alongside allies, including the United States.”
The spokesperson also underscored the UK’s commitment to securing national interests and striving for lasting peace in Ukraine, further emphasising the importance of protecting global stability.
The controversy has drawn attention beyond the UK. Western Australia’s Premier, Roger Cook, publicly criticised Vance’s remarks, calling him a “knob” during a pre-election event. The comment, though blunt, resonated with many who found Vance’s remarks offensive, and the audience responded positively to Cook’s statement.
Vance later attempted to clarify his position, claiming that his comments were not aimed specifically at the UK or France. He described interpretations linking his statement to these nations as “absurdly dishonest,” adding: “I don’t even mention the U.K. or France in the clip, both of whom have fought bravely alongside the US over the last 20 years, and beyond.”
