'Europe takes lion's share': JD Vance says US won't carry 'burden' of Ukraine's security; Washington to step 'if necessary'

US vice president J D Vance has said that Europe would take the "lion's share of the burden" in ensuring Ukraine's security, while Washington would "only help if necessary." Speaking to Fox News, Vance said the primary responsibility lay with Europe because of its proximity to Ukraine and the resultant security interests. "No matter what happens, no matter what form this takes, the Europeans are going to have to take the lion's share of the burden. It's their continent, it's their security, and the president has been very clear—they're going to have to step up," Vance said."I don't think we should carry the burden here. I think we should be helpful if it's necessary to end the war and to stop the killing," he added. However, Vance said that the US remained open to offering support if needed, while trying to minimise its involvement."What he (Trump) said very clearly is, 'The United States is open to having a conversation, but we're not going to make commitments until we figure out what is going to be necessary to stop the war in the first place,'" Vance said. US president Donald Trump, meanwhile, on Tuesday ruled out sending American troops to Ukraine. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "The president has definitively stated US boots will not be on the ground in Ukraine, but we can certainly help in coordination and perhaps provide other means of security guarantees to our European allies."

She added, however, that the US may provide air security. "It is an option and a possibility. I certainly won't rule out anything as far as military options that the president has at his disposal. I'll let him do that. I can tell you he's ruled out boots on the ground," Leavitt said. Trump had earlier said in July that his administration reached a new deal with Nato, requiring the alliance to cover the full cost of US weapons supplied to Ukraine, The Hill reported.Trump is pushing to get Putin and Zelenskyy to the table more than three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but Kyiv insists on Western-backed security guarantees to stop Moscow from striking again. “We need strong security guarantees to ensure a truly secure and lasting peace,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Wednesday, hours after Russian missile and drone attacks hit six regions across Ukraine. European allies are exploring the creation of a force to underpin any future peace deal. A coalition of 30 nations—including key European partners, Japan and Australia—has reportedly already pledged support for the plan.