Vice President Questions Putin’s Strategy on Ukraine War

Vice President Vance expressed uncertainty on Monday about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin has a clear strategy for exiting the conflict in Ukraine, just ahead of an anticipated call between Putin and President Trump.

“I’m not sure if Vladimir Putin has a plan to reverse the war,” Vance told reporters aboard Air Force 2.

His remarks came right before Trump is set to reach out to Putin in hopes of mediating a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump is also scheduled to have a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the same day.

“I think the president will ask Putin, are you serious about this?” Vance noted.

“We’ve reached a bit of a standstill, which is why the president is making this call,” he continued. “Honestly, I don’t think Putin truly knows how to exit the war.”

The conflict began in February 2022 when Russian forces invaded Ukraine after massing troops at the border.

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has voiced frustration over a lack of agreement on a proposed 30-day ceasefire, with both the Secretary of State and the Vice President threatening to withdraw from peace talks if no immediate progress was made.

Last Friday, Ukrainian and Russian officials convened in Turkey for their first direct peace discussions since the invasion, though Putin did not attend.