Following sharp criticism of Europe by US Vice President J.D. Vance in a speech at the Munich Security Conference yesterday, European officials were alarmed by what they saw as his attempt to link US security support to the continent with comments about free speech and democracy.
In a speech in Munich, which was largely expected to clarify the White House's position on the war in Ukraine and possible peace talks, the US vice president criticized the annulment of recent elections in Romania, the prosecution of anti-abortion protesters in the UK and the exclusion of far-right and far-left German politicians.
"The threat that worries me most about Europe is not Russia, it's not China, it's not any external actor," Vance said. "What worries me is the threat from within - the drifting of Europe away from some of its most fundamental values."
Speaking after Vance at the same forum, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called the criticism "unacceptable" and added that he had no choice but to respond. "I have prepared a speech today," Pistorius said. "I was supposed to talk about security in Europe. But I can't start as I originally planned... This democracy has been called into question by the vice president of the United States." "He compares the situation in Europe to what happens in autocracies. That is unacceptable," Pistorius added.
Kaja Kalas, the European Union's foreign policy chief, said she was surprised by Vance's "sermons." "I think we can solve our own internal issues," Kalas said. She also said Vance's speech gave the impression that the United States was "trying to start a fight" with Europe. "Listening to that speech, you get the impression that they are trying to fight with us, and we don't want a fight with our friends," Kalas said. She added that allies should focus on bigger threats, such as Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
Many conference attendees watched Vance's speech with dismay. There was little applause as Vance represented a continent where democracy is under threat from an alienated elite. "If you run away from your voters, America cannot help you," he said.
Speaking just over a week before the German election, the US vice president said there should be no "walls" in European politics. Although he did not explicitly mention the AfD, his words were welcomed by representatives of the far-right party, which is in second place in the polls for the February 23 election. "Great speech!" wrote Alice Weidel, one of the AfD leaders, on the X network.
Vance's sharp attack came days after European leaders were taken aback by the Trump administration's announcement that it would begin bilateral talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine.
President Donald Trump's move, which bypassed European capitals, has further heightened concerns that the post-war security guarantee provided by the US is being called into question under the new administration.
Vance met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Munich yesterday, but they did not disclose details of the conversation.
German Foreign Minister Analene Baerbock warned against any attempt to impose a peace agreement on Ukraine. "A fake peace, concluded over the heads of Ukrainians and Europeans, would achieve nothing," she said.
Vance also reiterated Trump's demand that Europe take greater responsibility for its own defense, so that Washington can focus on other regions, especially the Indo-Pacific.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte supported Vance's position, saying he was "absolutely right" about the need for Europe to "step up" its defense efforts.
Some officials compared Vance's speech to Vladimir Putin's address at the same event in 2007, when the Russian president warned that NATO expansion could lead to conflict with Moscow.
"He lectured us, humiliated us," said one senior EU diplomat. "The atmosphere in the hall was identical to that during Putin's speech in 2007... It was scandalous."
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