Vice President J.D. Vance took his culture war to Europe on Friday, delivering a scathing speech at the Munich Security Conference that warned the continent’s biggest threat was not from Russia or China, but from within.
Vance targets European values
Speaking to an audience of European leaders and security experts, Vance accused the continent of abandoning free speech and democratic principles. He slammed European politicians for allegedly suppressing dissent and shutting down social media accounts, while also urging stricter immigration policies.
He singled out a British man who was arrested for praying near an abortion clinic, calling it a violation of religious freedom.
“Europe faces many challenges, but the crisis this continent faces right now—the crisis we all face together—is one of our own making,” he declared. “If you’re running in fear of your own voters, there is nothing America can do for you.”
Unexpected speech stuns audience
Many had expected Vance to focus on Ukraine and Trump’s evolving peace plan. Instead, they were met with a fiery rebuke of European leadership. Some shifted uncomfortably as he took direct aim at EU officials.
“The biggest threat to Europe isn’t external—it’s internal,” he warned. “A retreat from its own fundamental values, values shared with the U.S.”
Trump’s stance on Ukraine
Vance’s speech comes amid Trump’s push for an end to the Ukraine war. Days earlier, Trump held a 90-minute call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, setting the stage for direct talks between Moscow and Washington.
Trump’s administration has signaled it may not fully back Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders or its NATO ambitions, sparking backlash from European leaders.
“The war has to end,” Trump said Thursday. “Young people are being killed at levels nobody’s seen since World War II.”
NATO burden-sharing and military leverage
Vance echoed Trump’s stance that European nations must contribute more to their own defense.
“NATO is a very important alliance, but we want to make sure it’s built for the future,” he said. “That means more burden-sharing in Europe so the U.S. can focus on challenges in East Asia.”
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Vance even suggested military action could be used to pressure Putin, hinting at a tougher stance than Trump himself has taken.
Meeting with Zelensky delayed
Vance is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later Friday, though the meeting was postponed due to a mechanical issue with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s plane.
The speech left European leaders on edge, raising new questions about the future of U.S. policy toward NATO, Ukraine, and transatlantic relations.
