Vance Slams Down Hard on Hegseth: Threatens Russia with U.S. Troops

Well now. This is different. One day after we were forced to read of Peter Hegseth’s utterly disastrous NATO trip – his first trip overseas as Sec. of Defense for the United States, we now hear what might be the first “clean-up” messages coming through. We probably ought to get used to this because this is a feature, no bug. This time it is JD Vance coming about to right some wrongs and get the ship back on course. It is entirely predictable, though appropriate, to have the Vice President step in here. Unlike Hegseth, the always-annoying JD Vance actually does have a serious intellect and can wield it a bit too well at times. Additionally, he is Vice President. As such, Vance’s words carry more weight than the hapless Hegseth, who was so far down toward the deep end this week that he kept bobbing on toenails, sounding dumber each time, getting more dangerous by the moment.

Recall, it was Hegseth who made sure we knew that Russia had lost a lot of people in gaining the territory it held and that it was folly to think that Russia would give it up so let them have it (Or something), and thus we should all just allow Russia to profit and gain through war because the U.S. has no real values anyway. This is frighteningly close to Hegseth’s actual language used on Thursday.

But as of Friday Vance was around to get this shit together and he did so by letting Russia know that as far as Vance is concerned, well – just wait. As CNN reports on Friday:

Vice President JD Vance warned on Thursday that the United States could hit Russia with economic and military “tools of leverage” if Russian leader Vladimir Putin doesn’t negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine in good faith. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal on Thursday, Vance said the option of sending US troops to Ukraine was “on the table,” as well as economic punishment if a peace deal doesn’t guarantee Kyiv’s long-term independence.

I wrote the same yesterday. It all depends on American willingness to condition any peace agreement. If the U.S. President (any) wants to get real tough with Russia, it becomes real tough to be Russia in that environment. At least Vance is picking the right side to be called out here. Hegseth acted as though he were there to point out the American faults in the whole dynamic and why the U.S. should suffer the biggest indignities. Jackass.

His comments strike a different tone from other recent statements from the White House – including from US President Donald Trump who suggested this week that Ukraine “may be Russian someday,” shortly before announcing that peace negotiations would begin immediately after holding a phone call with Putin.

Yeah. I suppose that we best leave some room for criticism of President Donald Trump in all of this, who calls up Putin and proposes working alongside each other even prior to Russia ending hostilities with Ukraine – which they have not, and yet we’re pledged to be working with Russia, not Ukraine… So it is not all Hegseth. Plenty, though:

Vance’s statement also contrasts with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has said the US would no longer prioritize European and Ukrainian security.

Right. If anything, Hegseth sounded as though he wanted to prioritize Russian security because Russia was so vested in Ukraine, having invaded it with no pretext other than acquisition. Again, with a Sec. Def. like Hegseth, one of the lowest-wattage cabinet members, you’re going to need someone like Vance around, the “fixer.” Here we see Vance fixing things, actually sounding like a high-ranking American official without the time or need to placate Russia.

I am going to get slammed again but JD Vance is very good at what he does – that’s the problem from a liberal point of view. But on certain matters of foreign affairs, like not kissing Russia’s ass? He can be very effective to American interests, that same effectiveness being a dagger when it comes to domestic politics that drives Democrats insane. Here, though – it is appreciated.

US may send troops to Ukraine if Moscow undermines talks, – VanceIn interview with The WSJ, Vice President JD Vance said that the U.S. would hit Moscow with sanctions and potentially military action if Putin won’t agree to a peace deal with Ukraine that guarantees Kyiv’s long-term independence

— Anton Gerashchenko (@antongerashchenko.bsky.social) 2025-02-14T08:44:16.116Z

And that’s nice, because it likely isn’t the last time we’ll be seeing JD Vance called up to hit, especially after Hegseth strikes out somewhere.

God Bless: I can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter or X at @JasonMiciak and now on Bluesky

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