Biden’s VP Vance to Deliver Blunt Message at Munich Security Conference, Says CDU Leader Merz
Munich, Germany – US Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to deliver a "brutally frank" address to European leaders at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) on Friday, according to Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz.
Merz, the opposition’s candidate for chancellor in Germany’s upcoming elections, warned that Europeans must have a clear response to Vance’s message. "The Zeitenwende (watershed moment) described by the Chancellor in his government declaration on 27 February 2022 will arrive this weekend," he declared during an interview on German television.
Merz said he had received advance information about Vance’s speech and anticipated a confrontational tone. "I hope that [German Chancellor] Scholz and other EU partners are prepared," he urged, emphasizing the need for a "European response" rather than a unilateral German one.
Vance’s address on Friday will be followed by a speech from Scholz on Saturday. "Tomorrow will be a very, very important day," Merz predicted. "This 2023 Munich Security Conference will be remembered for a long time to come, and it will have consequences."
Merz Raises Concerns over Trump’s Deal-Making with Putin
Merz also expressed concern over former US President Donald Trump’s alleged attempts to broker a deal between Russia and Ukraine without consulting European or Ukrainian officials. "Trump has announced his intentions; I hope the Chancellor has a response to this tomorrow," Merz stated.
The CDU leader urged greater coordination among major European NATO states, a strategy he believes has not been adequately pursued in recent months. "If we don’t have a concept, we’ll have to jump into cold water, and it will hurt," he warned.
Scholz Reiterates European Solidarity with Ukraine
Chancellor Scholz reaffirmed his stance that Europeans will not tolerate unilateral decisions by Trump or Russian President Vladimir Putin that would impose a "dictated peace" on Ukraine. He emphasized the need for unwavering European solidarity with Ukraine.
Trump Announces Trilateral Meeting in Munich
Meanwhile, Trump announced on Thursday night that representatives from the US, Russia, and Ukraine would meet on the sidelines of the MSC in Munich on Friday. "They have a meeting tomorrow in Munich. Russia will be there with our folks," Trump said. "Ukraine, by the way, is also invited. I don’t know who’s going from each country, but top-level people from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States."
The White House declined to provide further details when contacted for comment. Ukrainian presidential advisor Dmytro Lytvyn subsequently downplayed the likelihood of Ukraine engaging in such talks, emphasizing the need for a coordinated stance among the US, Europe, and Ukraine before any discussions with Russia.
US Defense Secretary Sees Shift to Indo-Pacific
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius commented on the views of newly appointed US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has prioritized NATO while acknowledging the need for the US to pivot its military and foreign policy towards the Indo-Pacific to address the challenges posed by China.
"This gap that is emerging must be filled by us Europeans," Pistorius stressed. "And this cannot be achieved with defense spending of 2% or 2.5%."
