Throwing Shade: VP Vance's Love-Hate Relationship with Europe, Ukraine, and Russia
Vice President Vance rekindles Romance with Europe, showing less affection towards Ukraine and Russia.
By Lukas Wessling, NY Times
Getting Real with Europe, Unimpressed with Russia and Ukraine: In an off-the-cuff chat, US Vice President JD Vance expresses candid frustration towards the EU's approach to a transatlantic dialogue, while openly admitting his disillusionment with Russia and Ukraine's ongoing feud.
Europe's political scene caught fire with Vance's fiery speech at the Munich Security Conference in February. Criticizing the Old World for suppressing free speech, undermining democracy, and even backing extremist movements, the Vice President questioned the EU's commitment to Western values. Vice Chancellor Habeck responded boldly, branding the incident as "the dissolution of our Western values community."
Fast-forward a few months, Vance and conference founder Wolfgang Ischinger sit down for a chat in Washington. Shockingly, the Vice President seems to have softened his stance towards Europe. In true Vance fashion, he claims the US and EU share the same team, but he warns that doesn't mean they can't call each other out when needed. Topics like trade, defense, and the Ukraine war are up for discussion.
Trade Talks: Ischinger probes Vance on his expectations from trade deal negotiations with the EU. The Vice President emphasizes the importance of fair treatment for US businesses, highlighting a discrepancy between US and EU software companies that he believes needs to be addressed.
Defense and the Ukraine War: Vance argues that both Russia and Ukraine demand too much, making mediation near impossible in resolving the ongoing conflict. Vance presses the need for "cool heads" and encourages seeing the economic advantages for both countries that can help overcome their hostility.
The Giant Elephant in the Room: Ischinger attempts to steer the Q&A towards the end, citing Vance's tight schedule. But our fearless VP wasn't having it, waving his hand and announcing his eagerness to continue the discussion. His team looked on nervously.
Germany's Defense: On the Rise or Still Comatose?
Vance brings up the upcoming NATO summit and expresses hope from Germany as it exceeds the 2% defense spending goal. He values the German effort to open its defense market to US manufacturers and refers to this as a beacon of hope that other European countries should follow suit.
Ischinger reminds Vance of the Bundeswehr's recent decision to suspend the debt brake for defense spending in Germany - a move that, in Ischinger's words, demonstrates a "beacon of hope" for defense spending across Europe.
Source: ntv.de
- J.D. Vance
- Attack on Ukraine
- German defense policy
- NATO
- Bundeswehr
- Ukraine
- Russia
In-depth Analysis:
Trade: Vance's trade policies are focused on achieving fairness and mutual benefits, particularly in his interactions with the EU and his negotiation tactics with India.
Defense and Europe: Vance advocates for a more independent European defense policy, while also pressuring the EU to open its defense market to US manufacturers.
Ukraine War: Vance has become increasingly frustrated with the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, blaming both sides for the conflict and emphasizing the need for cooperation to resolve the issue.
- JD Vance, in his candid discussions, has openly criticized the European Union's approach to a transatlantic dialogue, while expressing his disillusionment with Russia and Ukraine's ongoing feud, as revealed in the February Munich Security Conference.
- During the discussion with Wolfgang Ischinger, JD Vance highlighted the need for fair treatment for US businesses in trade deal negotiations with the EU, pointing out a perceived discrepancy between US and EU software companies.
- In light of the upcoming NATO summit, JD Vance expressed hope from Germany as it exceeds the 2% defense spending goal and opened the defense market to US manufacturers, which he views as a beacon of hope for other European countries to follow.
- JD Vance has advocated for a more independent European defense policy, while also pressing the EU to open its defense market to US manufacturers, as part of his defense and Europe policies.
