JD Vance/ Russia-U.S. relations/ Trump NATO stance/ Russian disinformation/ election 2024/ Newslooks/ WILMINGTON/ Del./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ GOP vice-presidential nominee JD Vance identified Russia as a U.S. adversary, though he stopped short of labeling the nation as an enemy. Amid criticism of Trump’s perceived friendliness with Putin, Vance underscored the need for caution in diplomatic language and reiterated Trump’s support for NATO while pushing for increased European defense contributions.
Vance Calls Russia Adversary but Avoids Enemy Label: Quick Look
- Position on Russia: Vance says Russia is an adversary but cautions against labeling it an enemy.
- Trump’s NATO Stance: Emphasizes Trump’s commitment to NATO while urging increased EU defense spending.
- Social Media Warning: Vance advises caution about Russian disinformation ahead of U.S. elections.
- Sanctions Skepticism: Questions effectiveness of current U.S. sanctions on Russia.
- Cheney’s Response: Critic Liz Cheney criticizes Trump’s approach as weak on alliances.
JD Vance Labels Russia an Adversary, Avoids ‘Enemy’ Tag
Deep Look
In a series of interviews aired Sunday, Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance expressed a complex view on U.S.-Russia relations, calling Russia an “adversary” but cautioning against viewing the country as an outright enemy. Speaking on platforms like NBC’s Meet the Press and CBS’s Face the Nation, Vance emphasized a measured approach to Russia, stressing the importance of diplomatic language and avoiding terms that could escalate tensions.
“We’re not in a war with [Putin], and I don’t want to be,” Vance stated when questioned directly about his stance on Russia. While he acknowledged the adversarial relationship between the U.S. and Russia, he advised caution in framing this as an enmity, especially as tensions remain high following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Vance’s comments align with GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump’s nuanced stance on Russia, where Trump has advocated for greater European defense contributions while maintaining NATO commitments.
Vance added that Trump’s approach would include pressing NATO allies to increase defense spending and would prioritize ending Russia’s war in Ukraine through diplomatic means. Although Trump has pledged to “reevaluate” NATO’s role, Vance insisted the alliance would remain intact, with a focus on Europe bolstering its share of defense efforts. Recently, NATO reported that 23 of its 32 member countries have now met the target defense spending of 2% of GDP—nearly four times the number from 2021.
“We’re going to honor our NATO commitments,” Vance assured, adding that NATO is a strategic alliance, not a “welfare client,” reinforcing that the U.S. would continue supporting European defense efforts but with expectations of reciprocal financial commitments from allied nations.
Meanwhile, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris has scrutinized Trump’s alignment with Putin, arguing that a second Trump term would risk both U.S.-European relations and Ukraine’s sovereignty. Harris’s ally, former Representative Liz Cheney, echoed these concerns, criticizing Trump’s stance on alliances and accusing him of treating allies dismissively. “Trump talks about our allies as though he were a mafia boss,” Cheney remarked on CNN, contending that maintaining alliances is essential for global peace.
Vance also addressed U.S. concerns over Russian disinformation campaigns, which American officials allege are aimed at influencing public sentiment around the upcoming election. Over recent weeks, Russian-generated content has surfaced on social media, including a video purportedly showing mail ballots destroyed in Pennsylvania, which officials say is a fabricated attempt to erode confidence in election integrity. Vance acknowledged these disinformation efforts but advised voters to remain discerning, encouraging Americans to “be careful” and avoid accepting all social media content at face value.
Discussing sanctions, Vance questioned the efficacy of economic sanctions implemented under the Biden administration to deter Russian aggression in Ukraine, comparing them to a “wet firecracker” and suggesting they had minimal impact. When asked about potentially expanding sanctions, Vance was non-committal, pointing instead to the need for an “appropriate” response and advising against overreaction to Russia’s social media tactics.
Trump has frequently claimed credit for maintaining an effective working relationship with Putin during his presidency and has criticized NATO, often questioning its financial viability for the U.S. He has even suggested that America should not be obliged to defend NATO members who fail to meet defense spending targets, an approach some analysts view as a signal to Russia. Trump’s rhetoric on NATO has included threats to reduce U.S. involvement, although his campaign continues to assure allies of NATO’s importance.
In the wake of Trump’s recent remarks on potentially eliminating the federal income tax—a comment he expanded on during an appearance with podcast host Joe Rogan—Vance also clarified Trump’s position. Trump had hinted that tariffs could replace income tax as a revenue source, though Vance downplayed the feasibility of such a sweeping change, calling it an “aspirational” statement while underscoring Trump’s more concrete pledge to cut taxes on tips, Social Security, and overtime pay if elected.
As the election draws near, Vance’s statements reflect a GOP strategy that seeks to balance traditional U.S. alliances with Trump’s distinct approach to diplomacy, marked by unconventional tactics and an emphasis on renegotiation. Whether this positioning will resonate with voters remains to be seen, but with Vance at his side, Trump’s team is doubling down on a platform focused on recalibrating international relations in ways that distinguish their vision from past administrations.
