USA Vice President JD Vance delivered a controversial 20‐minute speech at the Munich Security Conference that has sparked fierce reactions across Europe and the Nordics. Originally expected to address the war in Ukraine, Vance shifted focus to what he sees as an internal threat to European democracy and values.
Vance’s controversial remarks
Vance argued that the greatest threat facing Europe is not external adversaries like Russia or China but comes from within. In his speech he declared:
“The threat I am most concerned about regarding Europe is not Russia, China, or any other external actor. What I worry about is the threat from within, that Europe is retreating from some of its most fundamental values, values that it shares with the USA.”
He further criticized European leaders for what he described as a retreat from core democratic principles. Citing examples such as the recalculation of votes in Romania and a recent verdict in Sweden—where a Christian activist was convicted for Quran burning following the murder of his friend—Vance contended that these actions betray the very freedoms that Europe once championed. He also warned that:
“If you are afraid of your own voters, nothing can be done by the USA for you. So you cannot help the American people who have chosen me and Trump.”
In addition, Vance pinpointed Europe’s immigration policies as a major problem, asserting that politicians allow “millions of immigrants to enter Europe without being checked,” which he believes fuels broader societal issues.
European leaders respond
Vance’s speech has been met with strong criticism from several European officials. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas remarked on the tone of the address:
“Hearing that speech, it’s as if they are trying to start an argument with us, and we do not want to start an argument with our friends.”
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius condemned the remarks, stating:
“The American vice president sowed doubt about democracy throughout Europe. He speaks of the eradication of democracy, and if I have understood him correctly, he compares the state of parts of Europe to those in authoritarian regions. That is unacceptable.”
Ukrainian delegate Oleksij Gontsjarenko noted on social media that during most of Vance’s speech, European leaders and bureaucrats exchanged uneasy glances—with little applause to mark his assertions.
Nordic leaders weigh in
Nordic officials have also voiced their concerns. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stressed the need for self-reliance in uncertain times:
“We must use our energy to make ourselves stronger.”
Frederiksen added that while there were points of agreement—such as the importance of bolstering national defense—she maintained that Russia remains the biggest threat to peace in Europe.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre acknowledged the emphasis on free speech and democracy but noted:
“Then he sees some things I do not recognize. The country we are in has a history with the far right, and the unrest in Germany should be understood.”
Meanwhile, Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg described his subsequent meeting with Vance as “useful,” highlighting discussions on economic issues, the avoidance of trade wars, and the importance of defense investments.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard also defended Sweden’s approach, emphasizing the nation’s long-standing commitment to freedom of expression and the independence of its judicial system.
Implications for transatlantic relations
Vance’s remarks arrive amid a broader context of mixed signals from Washington. While the Trump administration has at times suggested a willingness to negotiate with Russia, Vance’s speech—and his subsequent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, who noted, “It is our first meeting, but not our last. We must put together a plan for how to stop Putin”—reflects a starkly different focus on internal European challenges.
European foreign ministers are set to meet during the conference to discuss their relationship with the Trump administration and the ongoing war in Ukraine, underscoring the high stakes of transatlantic cooperation.
Europe standing united
Europe is beginning to shift away from a longstanding reliance on the United States as its primary security guarantor, adopting instead a more defensive posture.
Far from being intimidated by Vance’s attacks—or by Trump’s provocations and the escalating tariff disputes—European leaders are standing firm. They are responding decisively, reaffirming their commitment to their democratic values and asserting a renewed vision of self-reliance in an increasingly complex global landscape.
