US Vice President JD Vance declared that Russia needs to “wake up and accept reality” in its ongoing war against Ukraine. Vance made the statement during an interview on Fox News, adding that the US is actively pursuing peace. These comments followed remarks by former President Donald Trump, who expressed the belief that Ukraine is in a position to win the war and reclaim all its territory. Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the United Nations General Assembly. The conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has resulted in significant casualties. Estimates suggest over 250,000 Russian soldiers and between 60,000 and 100,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed. Civilian casualties are also high, with the UN reporting over 14,100 Ukrainian civilian deaths. Vance cited the mounting death toll and questioned the value of continued fighting, noting Putin’s refusal to meet with Trump and Zelensky.
