Vance: Russia Is Adversary, But Trump Will Press NATO Allies to Spend More

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance has described Russia as a US adversary, but suggested that approaching Moscow as an enemy is counterproductive, The Associated Press reports.

Vance, in a series of interviews aired Sunday, outlined a Trump administration’s approach to Russia and NATO, emphasizing increased pressure on European allies to boost defense spending.

Vance clarified that Donald Trump, if re-elected, would be committed to NATO. However, he acknowledged that Trump has previously stated his intention to “fundamentally reevaluate NATO’s purpose and mission.”

Vance outlined a Trump administration’s strategy towards Ukraine, stating that it would work towards a swift end to the conflict in Ukraine launched in February 2022. He stressed that a Trump presidency would not pursue direct conflict with Russia.

“We’re not in a war with him, and I don’t want to be in a war with Vladimir Putin’s Russia,” Vance said.

While recognizing Russia’s adversarial stance, Vance stressed the importance of carefully chosen language in international diplomacy. He cautioned against overreacting to Russian actions and encouraged Americans to be discerning when consuming information on social media, particularly regarding the upcoming election.

Vance expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of further sanctions against Russia, characterizing the Biden administration’s use of sanctions as “a wet firecracker.” He declined to commit to specific responses to Russian disinformation campaigns, saying that determining an appropriate response is a complex issue.

Vance stressed that a Trump administration would continue to support NATO but would push for increased defense spending from European member states. He emphasized that NATO should not be seen as a “welfare client” but rather an alliance where members contribute fairly.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has criticized Trump’s relationship with Putin, arguing that his return to the White House would be detrimental to Ukraine and America’s European allies.

NATO has made significant progress in increasing defense spending among its members, with 23 of the 32 nations reaching the alliance’s target of 2% of GDP this year.