VP Vance: U.S. Ready to Walk Away from Ukraine Talks Without Territorial Compromise

 Vice President makes firm statement during visit to Agra, India

Agra, India — April 23 – U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance issued a stark warning on Wednesday, stating that the United States is prepared to walk away from negotiations to end the war in Ukraine if both sides do not accept a peace deal that includes territorial concessions.

Speaking to reporters as he departed Agra, India—his final stop on a multi-nation diplomatic trip—Vance emphasized that peace must come with compromise.

“We want peace, but not peace in name only,” Vance said. “A real resolution requires both Russia and Ukraine to make difficult choices, and that includes giving up claims to certain territories. If they’re not willing to do that, the United States is prepared to walk away.”

Vance’s comments represent a notable shift in tone from Washington, signaling a harder stance toward what the administration sees as stalled diplomacy. His remarks are likely to draw sharp reactions from Kyiv, where President Zelenskiy has repeatedly vowed not to cede any Ukrainian territory under Russian control.

The Vice President’s statement comes at the end of a multi-day diplomatic mission that included stops in Italy, the Vatican, and India. During the press conference, Vance also reflected on his deeply personal meeting with Pope Francis, which reportedly took place during the pontiff’s final hours.

“It was an incredibly emotional experience,” Vance said. “To sit with the Pope in those last moments — it reminded me of the deeper purpose behind everything we do: to strive for peace, for dignity, and for life.”

Although Vance declined to go into detail about the content of his conversation with Pope Francis, he said the experience would leave a lasting impact on how he approaches international diplomacy.

As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, Vance’s remarks suggest a growing urgency within the U.S. government to push for a resolution—even if that means encouraging painful compromises. Whether the conflicting parties will be willing to accept such terms remains uncertain.