In a surprising move, former President Donald Trump has announced that Ohio Senator JD Vance will be his running mate for the upcoming election. As the news breaks, let's take a closer look at Vance's stance on major international issues and the direction he and Trump would take if they win in November.

During the Munich Security Conference in February, Vance expressed concerns about the United States' ability to support Ukraine in its ongoing battle against Russia's invasion. He acknowledged the limited capacity in America's weapons manufacturing and manpower, suggesting that it may not be realistic for the U.S. to continue providing the same level of assistance to Ukraine moving forward. Instead, Vance proposed a negotiated peace as a more attainable goal, emphasizing the need to address the timing and framework for such an agreement.

Vance's approach towards Ukraine has generated some controversy. He skipped a meeting between a group of U.S. senators and Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelenskyy, further fueling debate about his stance on the issue. In an opinion piece published in the New York Times, Vance advocated for Ukraine to adopt a defensive strategy rather than an offensive one. He believed that focusing on defense would enable Ukraine to preserve its military manpower and buy time for negotiations. However, Vance also questioned President Zelenskyy's goal of returning to 1991 boundaries, considering it to be unrealistic.

Moving beyond Ukraine, Vance underlined the need for Europe to take more responsibility for its own security. He criticized the over-reliance on the United States within the NATO defense alliance and pushed for European countries to allocate more of their domestic budgets towards defense. Vance argued that Europe should not merely rely on the "American security blanket," as it has allowed European security to atrophy.

Vance's praise for Hungary's authoritarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, stirred controversy in May. He commended Orbán's policies, particularly in addressing what he perceived as left-wing bias in American universities. However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell criticized Republicans for praising Orbán, cautioning against embracing a leader who maintains friendly relationships with U.S. adversaries.

The Ohio Senator also advocated for a strategic shift in U.S. foreign policy, suggesting that the United States should focus its attention more on Asia rather than Europe. While emphasizing the importance of NATO and European allies, Vance believed that America's strategic future lies in East Asia. He argued that the U.S. needs to allocate its resources and attention accordingly, stating that there is a limit to the munitions the country can produce to support multiple conflicts simultaneously.

As the news of Vance's selection as Trump's running mate spreads, his positions on crucial international issues are generating mixed reactions. With Trump and Vance at the helm, their foreign policy priorities, which include reassessing Ukraine's assistance, encouraging European allies to shoulder more responsibility, and shifting focus towards Asia, are likely to shape the direction of the campaign. As November approaches, anticipation builds over how these stances will resonate with voters and potentially impact the future of U.S. foreign relations.