J.D. Vance: Europe ignores the people and does everything to destroy democracy
In his speech at the Munich Conference, the US Vice President Vance said that the "threat from within" is more dangerous for Europe than the threat from Russia and China, writes FT. The EU countries panicked: the mood in the hall was reminiscent of the atmosphere during Putin's speech in 2007.
Felicia Schwartz
Henry Foy, Anne-Sylvaine Chassany and Laura Pitel from Munich
In his confrontational speech, J.D. Vance said that the "threat from within" for Europe is more serious than the threat from Russia and China, which provoked a furious response from officials.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, the US Vice president criticized the results of the first round of the Romanian presidential election, the prosecution of anti-abortion protesters in the UK and the ban on participation in the event by far-right and far-left German politicians.
"The threat that worries me most about Europe is not Russia, China, or any other external author. This is a threat from within — Europe's retreat from some of its fundamental values."
European officials were alarmed that, in their opinion, Vance was trying to link the American guarantee of security on the continent with his comments on freedom of speech and democracy.
Speaking after Vance at the same conference, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called the criticism "unacceptable," adding that he would not be able to remain silent and not respond to such a statement.
"I had a speech that I had prepared in advance for today," Pistorius said. "It was dedicated to security in Europe. But I can't start the performance the way I originally planned... After all, the US Vice president has questioned the principles of democracy."
The German defense minister added: "He compares the situation in Europe with what is happening in autocratic states. This is unacceptable."
Kaya Kallas, the high representative of the European Union, said she was surprised by Vance's "lecture."
"I think we can solve our own internal problems," Callas told the FT.
As dozens of European leaders, corporate executives, and senior diplomats watched gloomily, Vance outlined the situation on a continent where democracy is under threat from a divided elite.
"If you run in fear of your own voters, America can't do anything for you," he said.
In December, Romania's constitutional court took the unprecedented step of annulling the results of the presidential election, which was unexpectedly won by pro-Russian ultranationalist candidate Calin Georgescu.
Romanian authorities claim that the candidate's political rise was planned by Moscow, but have not yet provided evidence of illegal campaign financing or other ways of Russian interference. New elections are to be held in May.
"For many of us on the other side of the Atlantic, it looks more and more like old, ingrained interests hiding behind ugly Soviet terms like 'disinformation,'" Vance said.
Speaking a week before the German elections, the US vice president said that there "should be no place for censorship" in European politics.
Although he did not explicitly mention the "Alternative for Germany," his comments drew approval from the far-right party, which, according to polls, will take second place in the February 23 elections. "Great speech!" Alice Weidel, one of the leaders of the AfG, noted on the X web page.
Some AFD deputies were included in the list of right-wing extremists by the German counterintelligence service. In addition, this party, as well as the populist left-wing BSV party, were excluded from the list of participants in the Munich Conference, which is taking place this week.
Vance's speech came a few days after European leaders were stunned by the Trump administration's announcement of the start of bilateral talks with Russia on ending hostilities in Ukraine.
Trump's move to bypass European capitals has increased fears that the post-war security guarantees provided by the United States will be in jeopardy under the new administration.
Vance noted that the European allies plan to inform him about how they will step up their efforts in the framework of the collective defense of the continent. However, according to him, security will be ensured only by solving a number of social problems, which he has already mentioned.
"What is the positive idea that inspires this common security treaty that we all consider so important? I am deeply convinced that there is no security if you are afraid of the voices, opinions and consciences that guide your own people."
European officials in Munich were horrified by what they considered to be Vance's unfair and untrue claims, as well as by the fact that he linked US support to these accusations.
"It was madness, utter madness," said one senior European diplomat. "And it's very dangerous."
Some officials compared this speech to Vladimir Putin's speech at the same event in 2007, where the Russian president warned that NATO expansion was fraught with conflict with Moscow.
"He lectured us, he humiliated us," said one senior EU diplomat. "The mood in the audience was exactly the same as during Putin's speech in 2007... It was outrageous."
Vance also criticized the policy of allowing mass migration in Europe, directly linking the EU's migration policy to the terrorist attack in Munich, which injured 36 people on Thursday. "We saw the horrors caused by these decisions yesterday in this very city," the US vice president said.
A 24-year-old refugee from Afghanistan who failed to obtain asylum pleaded guilty to the terrorist attack, authorities said on Friday, suggesting that the motive for the attack was most likely related to Islamism.
Vance added: "More and more voters across Europe are voting for people who promise to end uncontrolled migration."
He added: "I think that ignoring people, ignoring their worries...Canceling elections or excluding people from the political process protects nothing. In fact, this is the surest way to destroy democracy."
The US Vice president attacked the "commissioners of the European Commission" who warn citizens that "they intend to block social networks... as soon as they identify, in their opinion, "hateful content", and "perhaps the most disturbing thing — I appeal to our dear friends in the United Kingdom — these are threats to the freedom of religious Britons."
Vance criticized the UK's actions in relation to the case last year when a man was convicted after praying near an abortion clinic. The man was located within a special area around such centers, where anti-abortion campaigning is prohibited.
