Vice President JD Vance lambasted Russia Wednesday, saying the Kremlin was “asking for too much” in exchange for ending its 38-month-old invasion of Ukraine. The Trump administration has expressed frustration with both Ukraine and Russia for their unwillingness to meet face-to-face to discuss an end to Europe’s bloodiest conflict since the end of the Second World War — but Vance’s comments represent some of the most direct criticism of Moscow by a White House official since the 47th president took office.