By Brett Rowland
The Center Square

Vice President J.D. Vance told American and United Kingdom troops their contributions allow President Donald Trump to pursue peace worldwide.

The vice president’s comments come as Trump prepares to head to Alaska for direct talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin about ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.

“It is impossible to bring peace anywhere unless the bad guys are also worried that we’ve got a helluva fine Air Force and a helluva fine military to back up the peace,” Vance said during a stop at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. “So what you guys do, even though you may not see it every single day, is you make it possible. You make it possible for us to accomplish the president’s goals through negotiations.”

Vance said negotiations with Putin and other world leaders wouldn’t be possible without the military.

“You guys are the reason we have leverage in these conversations with world leaders because they know if we cut a deal, it’s backed up by the finest fighting force anywhere in the world,” the vice president said. “That is what makes your job so important.”

Vance said his work and Trump’s peace campaign wouldn’t be possible without U.S. troops.

“The peace and the prosperity and the safety of your countrymen depend on you,” Vance said.

Trump and Putin are set to meet in Anchorage on Friday to continue negotiations to end Russia’s three-year invasion of Ukraine.