White House officials ready to meet with Zelenskyy in Munich for talks on Russia’s war on Ukraine
Associated PressFEB 8
US Wants 'Lasting Peace' in Eastern Europe, Vance Tells Zelenskyy in Munich
Above: US Vice Pres. JD Vance (R), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2nd R) and Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy (3rd L) meet on the sidelines of the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, southern Germany, on Feb. 14, 2025. Image copyright: Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Contributor via Getty Images
The Facts
In a week in which US Pres. Donald Trump announced he'd had a "lengthy and highly productive" phone call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin — one that was followed with a call to Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy — Vice Pres. JD Vance traveled to Germany where he held his first face-to-face talks with Zelenskyy on Friday.
Both leaders were in Germany for the Munich Security Conference, and while the event's first day was dominated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Vance's address to the conference prior to talks with Zelenskyy drew strong reactions from diplomats in attendance, particularly from his German hosts.
In his address, Vance said: "The threat that I worry the most about vis-à-vis Europe is not Russia. It's not China. It's not any other external actor. What I worry about is the threat from within — the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America." He also brought up the topic of illegal immigration.
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Aside from moving the ball forward on peace negotiations, Vance was right to point out that the biggest threat to Europe is not Russia or China, but Europe itself. When we learn that Romania canceled the results of elections and a German leader threatened to follow suit, one has to ask if Europe is straying from the values it purports to uphold.
Pro-establishment narrative
Vance's speech equated Germany and other countries in the EU to authoritarian regimes from elsewhere. To hear that from the mouth of a top US representative is unacceptable. Pistorius, the German defense minister, had to be the one to say something as the host government's representative.
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Ukraine is grateful to Vance and his entire team, with whom Ukrainian officials had good discussions. The country looks forward to welcoming Keith Kellogg, Trump's special envoy for the conflict, in the coming days so that conversations can continue. Ukraine is ready for a real and guaranteed peace.
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