JD Vance has backed down after appearing to slam the UK as "some random country that hasn't fought a war in 30 years".

       Responding to his critics, Vance said: "This is absurdly dishonest. I don’t even mention the UK or France in the clip, both of whom have fought bravely alongside the US over the last 20 years and beyond.

       "But let’s be direct: there are many countries who are volunteering (privately or publicly) support who have neither the battlefield experience nor the military equipment to do anything meaningful."

       In the original clip, which has sparked a backlash in Europe, Vance said: "He said: "If you want real security guarantees, if you want to actually ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine again, the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine. That is a way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn't fought a war in 30 or 40 years."

       Both France and Britain have said they would commit troops to Ukraine as part of a peace keeping force.

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       The US Vice President also suggested that the only way to secure long-term peace in Ukraine was for the US to have an economic stake in the region, and called President Donald Trump "the only guy in town with a strategy".

       It came after the UK Government announced its commitment to supporting Ukraine, including deploying 20,000 troops for peace-keeping purposes. Downing Street also said it was "engaging with key allies" after the US paused military aid to Ukraine on Monday night.

       Despite Vance's comments, Britain has been active in a number of military engagements since 1980, including US-led campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

       Shadow defence secretary and Tory MP James Cartlidge also pointed out that the only time NATO's Article 5, which holds that if one member state is attacked all other members will come to their aid, has been invoked was in the aftermath of 9/11.

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       "Britain and France came to their aid deploying [thousands] of personnel to Afghanistan, including my own brother and numerous parliamentary colleagues, past and present," Mr Cartlidge wrote on X.

       "It’s deeply disrespectful to ignore such service and sacrifice."

       In an interview with Fox News, the Vice President also discussed the heated exchange between the American and Ukrainian leaders at the White House last week, suggesting that it had "really set Zelensky off".

       "He showed a clear unwillingness to engage in the peace process that President Trump said is the policy," Vance said.

       "That's the real breakdown. I think Zelensky wasn't yet there. And frankly, still isn't there. But I think he'll get there eventually; he has to."

       He also confirmed that Ukrainian officials had tried to restart talks after the meeting but had been shot down by Trump. Nonetheless, he insisted that the "door is open" so long as Zelensky "is willing to seriously talk peace".