United States Vice President JD Vance launched a scathing attack on European leaders at the Munich Security Conference, accusing them of censoring free speech and failing to control immigration. His remarks drew sharp rebukes and overshadowed discussions. Vance took a swipe at European governments for what he described as their censorship of free speech and their political opponents, while largely avoiding the question of how to resolve the Ukraine war.
Speaking to European political leaders, military officers, and diplomats at the Munich Security Conference, Vance surprised the audience by dismissing the risk of Russian political interference in Europe, taking a similar stance to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has railed against claims by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia had interfered on his behalf in the 2016 election.
Vance adopted a confrontational tone, accusing European politicians of what he said was a fear of their people and warning them that the real threat against their democracy was not from Russia or China. “The threat I worry the most about vis-à-vis Europe is not Russia, it’s not China, it’s not any other external actor. What I worry about is the threat from within, the retreat of Europe from some its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America,” Vance said.
Ukraine at the top of the Agenda
The future of Ukraine was at the top of the agenda in Munich after a phone call between Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin this week where they pledged to work together to end the conflict, but Vance did not bring it up.
Instead, he said Brussels had shut down social media over hateful content and criticized Germany for what he described as raids against its own citizens for posting anti-feminist comments, Sweden for convicting a Christian activist, and United Kingdom for backsliding on religious rights.
At this, as per reporting, people appeared stunned and did not applaud. The vice president’s speech sparked immediate criticism in Europe. “Vance’s attack on European democracy in Munich, perversely twisting the language of democracy itself should leave no doubt whatsoever that the aim of this administration is to destroy the EU and its liberal democracies,” said Nathalie Tocci, director of ‘Istituto Affari Internazionali’ think tank.
Responding to Vance’s speech, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told the conference: “If I understood him correctly, he is comparing parts of Europe with authoritarian regimes. This is not acceptable.”
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