Vance tells servicemembers US adversaries are 'afraid' of American military ahead of Russia summit

Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday told United States service members that the country's adversaries are "afraid" of American troops, which has created opportunities for meetings with foreign leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Donald Trump and Putin are expected to meet for a peace summit in Alaska on Friday, where they will discuss a potential ceasefire and end to the years-long war in Ukraine.

Vance told American forces stationed at the Royal Air Force Base Fairford in England that, because of the strength of the U.S. military, the United States has leverage heading into tough negotiations. Vance has been meeting with European leaders ahead of the summit.

"You guys are the reason why we can go into a negotiation with strength," Vance said. "You guys are the reason why we have leverage in these conversations with world leaders. Because they know that if we cut a deal, it is backed up by the finest fighting force anywhere in the world. And that is what makes your job so important.

"The fact that people are impressed by you, the fact that so many people are frankly afraid of you is why we're able to do what we do as an administration," he added.

The Air Force base holds the U.S. Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing and the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron and is critical for American Air Force operations in Europe, per Fox News.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.