Vance called a 'clown' after 'random countries' remark

UNITED States Vice President JD Vance was yesterday forced to clarify that his criticism of a possible European peacekeeping force was not aimed at the UK or France, after a backlash from politicians and ex-soldiers - including former Plymouth Moor View MP Johnny Mercer, who labelled him a 'clown.'

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In an interview for Fox News, Mr Vance appeared to downplay the potential of “20,000 troops from some random country that has not fought a war in 30 or 40 years” to monitor any ceasefire.

His comments were widely perceived to be directed towards the UK and France, who have been leading European efforts to secure a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.