**US Vice President JD Vance Stuns at Munich Conference**
US Vice President JD Vance made a surprise attack on Europe’s ideals and called for embracing far-right parties during his speech at the Munich Security Conference. The event was focused on how to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Vance said that what he fears most isn’t authoritarian states, but rather Europe’s “threat from within”. He criticized Europe for not paying enough attention to uncontrolled migration and the retreat of free speech. He also said that Europe should live its democratic values, not just talk about them.
**Criticism and Shock**
The speech was met with shock and criticism from European leaders and experts. Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko said on social media that Vance’s speech was a “total humiliation” for European leaders. The only applause he received was for calling on Europe to drop its opposition to far-right parties.
EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius described the speech as having no substantial messages, not even about Ukraine or Gaza. He advised Europe to “keep calm and carry on”.
**Experts Weigh In**
Federico Borsari, a resident fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), warned that Vance’s comments risk creating a fracture between the US and Europe at a time when unity is essential to counter Russia.
Gideon Rachman, chief foreign affairs commentator for the Financial Times, called it “shocking hypocrisy” given Trump’s own record on democracy. Carl Bildt, co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations, described it as “significantly worse than expected”.
**German Minister Reacts**
Speaking at the conference after Vance’s speech, Germany‘s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius tackled the vice president’s comments about far-right parties head-on. He said that democracy does not mean that a vociferous minority can decide what truth is.
**Meeting with President Zelensky**
Vance later met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, among others. They discussed critical minerals and expressed readiness to move towards real peace as quickly as possible.