JD Vance says US urged Ukraine to focus on defense as Russia’s offensive slows

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance said Monday, July 6, that the United States and NATO encouraged Ukraine to focus on defending its territory rather than launching major counteroffensives, arguing the strategy has significantly slowed Russia's advance and could help bring the war closer to an end.

His comments came as President Donald Trump also expressed optimism about the conflict, saying peace may be closer than many people realize.

At the same time, European leaders continued voicing support for Ukraine's expanding campaign of long-range strikes inside Russia.

JD Vance says defensive strategy has weakened Russia's offensive

Speaking to The Times of London, Vance argued that Russia has made little meaningful progress despite continuing its offensive.

"The Russians, they're paying a lot for every square kilometer they get. And I think that's because the United States and NATO have encouraged Ukraine to be more focused on defense, and that's proven effective," he said.

Vance explained that the Trump administration has encouraged Ukraine to remain "maximally defensive" instead of concentrating on large counteroffensives in Russian-occupied territory.

"It's allowed Ukraine to exploit a little bit more of their tactical advantage," he said. "Frankly, the Russians are in a place right now where the amount that they can get through continued offensive operations is vanishingly small and getting close to zero."

He added that the current battlefield situation "may create the space that we need to bring this thing to a close."

Donald Trump says both sides want the war to end

Trump echoed Vance's assessment during remarks on Monday, suggesting negotiations may be closer than many observers believe.

"The war is getting much closer than people realize," Trump said.

He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin "wants it to end" and said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also wants the conflict to end "now."

Ukrainian ambassador Olha Stefanishyna welcomed Washington's assessment of the battlefield but said Kyiv was unaware of any effort by the United States to discourage offensive operations.

"We appreciate the public outreach related to the real situation on the ground," she said. "It is important that the US government has the same assessment based on the information at its disposal."

NATO leaders back Ukraine's long-range strikes

Vance's remarks come as Ukraine continues carrying out its largest campaign of long-range drone strikes inside Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a 40-day campaign on June 25 aimed at increasing pressure on Moscow.

"It is precisely our pressure, day after day, that lays the groundwork for a dignified peace in the end," Zelensky said.

According to the Institute for the Study of War, Ukraine has struck 22 Russian oil refineries this year, targeting facilities as far as 2,000 kilometers from the border and disrupting Russia's fuel production.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb also voiced support for Ukraine's strategy, saying NATO leaders understand why Kyiv is carrying out deep strikes inside Russia.

"I think that everyone understands why Ukraine is doing this," he said. "Everyone believes that we need to continue to increase the pressure."

Stubb argued that the attacks make the war "personal" for Russian citizens and could encourage greater public opposition to the conflict.

"This gives us an opportunity to get back to the negotiating table, which I think we all desperately want," he said. "We all want to end this war."

He also said Ukraine is currently in its strongest battlefield position since the war began and suggested NATO would ultimately benefit from Ukraine joining the alliance, praising the country's advanced drone and missile capabilities.