What Vice President JD Vance’s ultimatum could do to change the Russia-Ukraine war and bring new life to American foreign policy

The war between Russia and Ukraine has been in the news all over the world for more than two years. It has cast a long shadow over Europe and put the US in a leadership role that few people thought would last this long. But now that 2025 is here, the winds of change are clear. Something has changed for the first time in months, and it’s not just on the ground. It’s also in the diplomatic language coming from Washington. The tone is no longer friendly. It’s strong, sure of itself, and proudly American.

A few weeks ago, Army soldier and Heritage Foundation expert Lt. Col. James Carafano (ret.) went on Varney & Co. to talk about what Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer to stop the fighting meant. His ideas give us a bigger picture of what’s going on behind the scenes, which is why Vice President JD Vance’s bold plan to “walk away” from the peace talks could be just what the world needs right now from a conservative leader.

It’s no longer just about Ukraine. It’s about America, its future, and what happens when fear is used as a cover for diplomacy.

Putin’s offer shows that he is weak, not strong

For decades, liberals in charge of foreign policy have seen any move by Russia as an aggressive show of power. The Financial Times wrote about Putin’s latest plan, which tells a different story. It’s not power, it’s despair. Even the Kremlin knows how far it can go with its plans, as shown by its plan to stop fighting along the current front lines.

This is not a peace offering. This is a white flag that is cleverly hidden as practicality. Russia is losing money, people, and resources and could face a backlash at home. International sanctions are putting a lot of stress on the country’s economy and relationships. Its military, which was once feared, now seems stuck in a grind that can’t be won.

Conservative leaders have long said that deterrence works, and Putin’s desire to settle shows that they are right. After a lot of pressure from the Trump government and now JD Vance, things are finally getting better. But progressive officials would rather we back down under the guise of negotiation than take advantage of the situation. That is the exact way of thinking that caused this war to begin with.

JD Vance: The Conservative Realist We Need Right Now

During his speech, Vice President JD Vance didn’t hold back. America was angry, and he didn’t hide it with polished platitudes or vague promises of “long-term commitments.” The US has made its peace offer, and now the ball is in Russia’s court, he made it clear. The U.S. might leave if they don’t do something.

This isn’t giving up; it’s using your power. After years of unclear goals and mission creep, the strategy is now clear. And that’s exactly the kind of foreign policy leadership that Americans wanted when they voted for Trump and, by extension, Vance again.

It was clear what JD Vance was trying to say: endless wars and alliances that act like they care about American values don’t make the country stronger. It takes determination, morals, and the guts to make sure repercussions are met. Threatening to leave doesn’t make communication weaker; it makes it stronger.

Why the peace talks in London were doomed from the start

The time when Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff quit the peace talks in London was a turning point. It wasn’t just a matter of timing. It was a statement that the United States will not keep having pointless talks while our vital interests are left up in the air.

Too often, official meetings turn into shows that are only meant to take pictures and not to get things done. With their never-ending roundtables and champagne toasts, ambassadors during Biden’s time thought that process was progress. The Trump-Vance team doesn’t want to “look busy,” though. The results are what they want.

In reality, the London talks were based on fantasy: the idea that Putin can be persuaded, that Ukraine can keep sacrificing so much, and that American voters will agree to stay involved in yet another foreign mess for a long time. Getting rid of Rubio and Witkoff was a back to reality and a change of direction.

Threats can save lives, according to Carafano

Lt. Col. James Carafano, who has long been a leader in conservative foreign policy, made the situation very clear: threats like JD Vance’s aren’t careless; they’re planned. They’re tools for bargaining. A lot of the time, they’re the only way to get past strong situations.

Carafano said that America’s position in Europe, especially its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, is still very important. He did not mean to signal isolationism. But that presence must be smart, long-lasting, and straight up for U.S. values.

He said it was like Trump’s tactics with China, which caused problems but worked in the end. No trade deals were made by trying to make everyone happy. Instead, pressure was used. In this case, the same rule holds. It’s not possible to beg for peace. You can get peace if you expect it and are ready to leave if you don’t get it.

Lessons from Afghanistan: Don’t make the same mistake that Biden did

The bad decision made by the Biden administration to leave Afghanistan still haunts American foreign policy. It wasn’t just the way frantic evacuations looked or the way Taliban fighters posed with U.S. weapons; it was also the strategic void that was left behind. A generation’s worth of efforts were thrown away in just a few days for the sake of an easy way out politically.

That’s what happens when polls, not principles, decide what law to make.

Trump and JD Vance have made it clear that Ukraine will not become another Afghanistan. It’s not a call to run away quickly. They are setting limits. They want our friends to take responsibility. They also won’t let countries that ask a lot more but give much less take America for granted.

Europe needs to either step up or step back

One thing that doesn’t get enough attention in this war is how unfairly the United States has been burdened. Americans have spent billions of dollars on Ukraine’s defense, but European countries like France and Germany are still only helping in small ways and taking too long to do so.

It’s not America’s job to pay for Europe’s safety forever. That’s what Trump said when he criticized NATO for not spending as much as they promised. And that’s JD Vance’s job today.

Not only does a threat to walk away put pressure on Moscow, but it also warns Europe. The word is easy to understand: show that you want peace. Match our promise. Meet our need for speed. Or just sit back and let the world go on without you.

What Held Things Up and Made a Way

There is no movement on the ground in Ukraine. Even though Ukrainian troops have put in a lot of hard work and Russian forces have made mistakes, neither side can claim decisive momentum. This war used to be full of shocking turns of events and big gains, but now it’s just trench fighting and slow death.

That’s why Putin’s deal is important. That’s why JD Vance’s answer is even more important.

Not because both sides are ready, but because both sides are worn out, we are getting close to a time when negotiation might actually work. In that fragile moment, having a clear sense of purpose is very important. Miscalculations could happen if the messages are mixed up. Hesitation could make things worse. When used correctly, the threat to walk away can focus people’s thoughts and make them make decisions.

Not by making peace, but by being strong.

It was no surprise that the liberal media portrayed JD Vance’s remarks as careless. They say it hurts negotiations, lowers morale in Ukraine, and gives Putin more power. But this complaint doesn’t take into account a basic fact: trying to make peace by appeasing people doesn’t work. It did not work for Hitler. With North Korea, it didn’t work. With Iran, it didn’t work. It also won’t work with Russia.

Peace that lasts comes from being strong. Setting and following red lines is how you get it. People who aren’t afraid to say no make it possible. People in charge know that the fear of leaving can be stronger than any weapon on the battlefield.

The threat from JD Vance is a test. A test for Putin. A test for Ukraine. A test for Europe. But most importantly, it was a test of how committed America is to the ideas that have always led us: freedom, independence, and peace through power.

The Conservative Doctrine on Foreign Policy: Results, Not Words

People in the US are tired. Sick of wars that never end. Are you sick of broken promises? Sick of leaders who say they will stand strong but give up as soon as someone tries to stop them.

JD Vance stands for a new type of conservative foreign policy. Not a selfish view. It’s not British. It is realistic. Common sense. Strong morals. And it works.

He’s not saying he’ll leave Ukraine. In other words, he wants negotiations to actually work. He’s telling everyone that being an American leader isn’t a gift; it’s a duty. And agreements must be kept, not broken.

Next: A Chance to Make Things Better

The United States will have helped make peace by being firm instead of soft, if Russia agrees to the terms and the fighting stops. If Russia says no, they will be fully responsible for what happens next.

In either case, though, the US will have gotten back something even more important than land or treaties: its reputation.

That’s the power of leaders who are conservative. That is the difference between saying something and doing it. That’s why, with President Trump and Vice President Vance in charge, America is once again becoming the most important country—not just because we can, but because we want to.