US Vice President J.D. Vance has questioned democracy in Europe. His speech at the Munich Security Conference made it clear that Trump's America is turning away from Europe, writes ARD.
US Vice President J.D. Vance's speech was like the speech of a preacher who has come to teach Europeans. His raised index finger was expected - and yet very different: not in connection with the need for higher defense spending or for guarantees for the security of Ukraine. No, he had decided to use the Munich Security Conference to criticize us Europeans for encroaching on the right to free expression. This was an even greater threat than Russia or China, he said.
What did De Vance really want to tell those present with this? Was it not this: I will not even discuss Ukraine with you here as equals, writes Claudia Buckenmeier in a commentary for ARD.
A turning point of a different kind
However, we Europeans bear some responsibility for this. It seems that we have learned nothing from Donald Trump's first term and have done too little for military security. By today at the latest, we should be aware that the US can withdraw its protective hand from Germany and Europe. And no amount of kind eyes, an outstretched hand or even an admission of our own mistakes would be enough as an answer here. In addition to more money, a confident, clear position is also needed.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius reacted correctly: The fact that Vance compares parts of Europe with authoritarian regimes is completely unacceptable. Trump's deputy, however, did not find time to listen to this criticism. His performance in Munich was a turning point of a different kind: the US is turning away from Europe, and thus from transatlantic relations, Claudia Buckenmeier also writes in her commentary for ARD.