Vance, Republican senator of Ohio, downplayed Russia's military strength under President Vladimir Putin, doubting Russia's ability to conquer all of Ukraine or extend its reach further west into Europe. He emphasized the need for negotiation, saying, "It ends the way nearly every single war has ever ended: when people negotiate and each side gives up something that it doesn’t want to give up." This statement comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with US Congress members to seek further aid.