JD Vance criticizes Russia and Ukraine – relies on Europe

This article was first published by NTV.

A “fire storm”, an “unprecedented billing”-so European newspapers described the speech by US Vice President JD Vance ‘at the Munich Security Conference. They had been eagerly awaited – but that? Vance stood into the transatlantic heart: He accused Europe of circumcision, caving democracy, he made an election campaign for the AfD. Vice Chancellor Habeck speaks of the “termination of the western community of value”.

Now, a few months later, Vance in Washington meets the founder of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger. And suddenly Vance Europe loves again: Of course the USA and the EU played the same team. This will also remain so that the cultures are too closely linked. “But that doesn’t mean that we don’t criticize ourselves,” said Vance. You have to ask the big questions, just to remain friends. The big questions are mainly trade and defense this morning, and the Ukraine war is also an issue.

The fact that these topics are discussed less confrontatively than in February is not because Ischinger Vance will return to the carpet: After only a few introductory sentences, Ischinger is already waving around with a brochure that has been printed out: Vance ‘speech and the reactions to them. There was no such thing at the security conference, says Ischinger. Vance laughs.

Ischinger and Vance are terribly nice together. The almost 80-year-old Ischinger tells how he spent a month in the US state of Ohio in 1995, Vance ‘home. At that time he was a German diplomat and negotiated the Dayton Agreement, which ended the Bosnia War. Vance was ten years old at the time. Now he puts on his best son-in-law and is adequately impressed. Ischinger reciprocates with the realization that the United States interference brought peace to Europe even then.

30 years later, the Europeans have no place in the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Even the United States would like to keep up, indicates Vance: “We are honestly frustrated,” admits the US vice: “The two hate themselves so much that the first half hour of a one-hour conversation for their historical resentment is on it.”

It is “absurd that both sides do not speak to each other”. That makes it impossible to convey. In Vance ‘eyes, the Russians demand too much; But Ukraine also has unrealistic ideas. Vance demands “cool heads” and refers to economic advantages for both sides that could overcome hatred.

Keyword economy: What Vance expect from the conversations to a trade deal with the EU, asks Ischinger. A fair treatment, he replies. US software companies would not be punished. The Europeans should defend themselves and buy US weapons, says Vance.

At this point, Ischinger wants to lead the question and answer session to the finish line, refers to the closely tackled schedule of the prominent conversation partner. But he interrupts, waves: “I have fun.” His team is getting nervous, he says grinning and shows behind the scenes.

Ischinger refers to the upcoming NATO summit: Which signal does Vance expect from Europe? Five percent of the gross domestic product for defense – given the European fears, this is a reasonable goal, says Vance. But it was not mere sums: 10, 15 years ago, Vance recalls, “the Germans were very good at keeping their industrial strength in harmony with their living standards”. But now Europe is de -industrialized – exactly the moment it is obvious that it takes a strong industry to economically underpin military power.

He believes that the United States was correct when it comes to defense, says Vance: “And I am grateful that many of our European friends recognize this.” Ischinger speaks of a “glimmer of hope” – Germany has suspended the debt brake for armor expenditure. Vance pinch his eyes together, nods.

In the end, Ischinger asks the US Vice Vance to visit the Munich Security Conference again next year. Vance thanks and says he was not sure whether he would be invited again after his appearance in February. “Well, we thought about it,” says Ischinger. Vance laughs out loud.

Transparency note: Like NTV, the star is part of RTL Germany.