Vance Embarks on UK Journey to Meet US Troops
JD Vance rallies U.S. troops at Fairford base
Vice President JD Vance paused his holiday in the United Kingdom to address American forces stationed at the Fairford air‑force base in Gloucestershire, southwest England.
Key points of the visit
- Strengthening the war‑end effort – Vance credited U.S. troops for enabling powerful negotiations with Russia and Ukraine.
- Alaska summit preview – Ahead of President Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in Alaska, Vance praised the soldiers for “making that possible.”
- Amateur zeal & skill – The vice president highlighted how the administration’s initiatives hinged on the “hard work, courage, and skill” of the troops.
Diplomatic backdrop
Vance met with European leaders and U.S. officials, including the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who noted a “viable” chance for a ceasefire after over three years of Russian aggression in Ukraine. The discussion aimed to convince President Trump to respect Kyiv’s interests at the Alaska talks.
Vance’s itinerary
The vice president arrived in the U.K. on August 8 with his wife and three children, only to encounter protests from residents in the Cotswold countryside. He spent much of his time meeting with British officials such as Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who hosted him at a country retreat in Chevening, Kent.
In the evening, Vance reportedly had breakfast with Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, which is topping current electoral polls. He also met late Tuesday with Conservative Party justice spokesman Robert Jenrick but has not secured face‑to‑face talks with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, according to the Times.
Next on the schedule is a multi‑day visit to Scotland with his family, as Vance intends to deepen ties with U.K. allies.
