"Y'all Frustrating Us" US VP Vance Embraces Europe Again, Less So Ukraine and Russia
Vice-President Vance ReKindles Affection for Europe, Relations with Ukraine and Russia Remain Complex
Talking Shop: US Vice President Vance Welcomes Europe Warmly, Questions Russia and Ukraine
It's all love between the US and Europe these days, but get ready for a year of rough talks with Ukraine and Russia, according to Vice President JD Vance. In a candid chat with Wolfgang Ischinger, the founder of the Munich Security Conference, Vance was frank about his feelings towards Eastern Europe.
Europe, Vance gushed, is a part of the same team as the US, and their cultures are too intertwined to ever truly drift apart. But that doesn't mean we can't exchange a few harsh words, he added. "Criticizing each other is part of staying friends," he said.
But when it comes to Ukraine and Russia, Vance shook his head. "Those two are stuck in the past," he lamented. "They've got this absurd beef going on that just gets in the way of us moving forward."
In his speech at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year, Vance lashed out at Europe over their handling of democracy and free speech. Now, he's singing a different tune. "Hey, Europe's not perfect," he admitted, "but we're all working on making things better here."
The Hot Topics: Trade and Defense
With trade and defense on the agenda, Vance and Ischinger wasted no time getting down to business. "I'm all about fair treatment," Vance said, "and right now, US companies are getting the short end of the stick over in Europe."
As for defense, Vance is encouraging Europe to step up their game. "Look, I get it—the debt brake is a tough nut to crack," he said, referring to Germany's restrictive budget rules. "But with the current state of geopolitics, we can't afford to skimp on defense spending."
Keeping It Real
"This ain't no lobbyist's tea party," Vance quipped, as he waved away Ischinger's attempts to steer the conversation towards a close. Vance's team may have been twitchy behind the scenes, but Vance was in no mood to cut the chat short. "I'm having a good time here!" he exclaimed.
Ischinger, always the diplomat, was charmed by Vance's candor. "Next time you're in Munich," he said, "We really should plan your trip to overlap with the conference." Vance grinned. "Count me in," he said, "as long as I can give the Europeans a piece of my mind."
Why Europe Matters
For Vance, Europe's economic and industrial strength is crucial to the region's ability to fund its defense needs. "Man, ten or fifteen years ago, the Germans were masters at balancing their industrial prowess with their way of life," he said, referring to the era when Germany was a manufacturing powerhouse. "But now, Europe is fast-tracking its own deindustrialization, and that's a real problem."
If Europe wants to avoid becoming too reliant on the US for defense, Vance believes, it needs to bolster its own industrial capabilities. "The US can't be the only game in town," he said.
Setting the Standard for NATO
As NATO gears up for its upcoming summit, Vance has some clear expectations for Europe. "Look, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it," he said. "Five percent of GDP for defense spending is the minimum we should all be aiming for."
Ischinger, pointing to recent German budget changes, called Germany a "beacon of hope" in the defense spending race. Vance nodded, acknowledging the progress.
But as the conversation wrapped up, Vance emphasized that it's not just about numbers. "Europe needs to start putting its money where its mouth is," he said, "and that means prioritizing industrial strength to support military power."
Sources
- ntv.de
- J.D. Vance
- Trade with EU
- Defense Spending
- Germany
- NATO
- Ukraine
- Russia
- Vice President Vance's thoughts on Ukraine and Russia are outlined in his speech at the Munich Security Conference, where he expressed frustration with the ongoing confrontation between the two countries, impinging upon forward progress.
- In the same speech, Vance critiqued Europe's handling of democracy and free speech, but in a subsequent conversation with Wolfgang Ischinger, he admitted that Europe, despite its flaws, is essential for the region's defense and economic strength.
- On the topic of trade, Vance voiced his concerns about US companies receiving unfair treatment in Europe and went on to encourage Europe to increase defense spending beyond the imposed debt brake limitations.
- In terms of NATO, Vance set a minimum defense spending target of 5% GDP for all member states and emphasized that it's not just about numbers, but also about Europe bolstering its industrial capabilities to support military power.
