JD Vance Shines at Munich Security Conference Amidst Ongoing European Conflict Concerns

With tripods and lighting equipment colliding with the legs of global leaders, or at least their aides, television crews maneuver up and down staircases weighed down by suits and military insignia at a yearly security symposium in Munich.

While speeches and panel discussions constitute the primary public display within a plush hotel encircled by stringent security, the real negotiations unfold in private – behind the closed doors of various rooms on multiple levels.

Attempting to access the meeting rooms or at least catching snippets of conversations with officials moving in and out gives the best insight into the high-stakes diplomacy underway – particularly this year as Donald Trump‘s disruptive presence shakes the foundations of Europe’s order.

However, trying to weave through hallways congested with conversing delegates transforms every trip to a different chamber into an uncomfortable and sweaty ordeal.

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As for what to keep an eye on, an initial hope that Russia would dispatch a delegation to converse with the Americans and Ukrainians ignited a wave of intense searching by journalists on Friday – the inaugural day of the three-day event.

Mr. Trump had asserted that such discussions were to occur in Munich.

Yet, this prospect quickly dissipated following statements from Moscow and Kyiv denying that any meetings were planned.

Instead, the movements of the U.S. Vice President and other American envoys became the focal point, closely followed by Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and subsequently, the Europeans.

JD Vance’s keynote address in the main hall was a major draw until he commenced reprimanding Europeans regarding their economic status, accusing countries like Germany, Sweden, the UK, and others of impeding free speech and censoring social media content.

This prompted a tepid wave of applause, while a substantial portion of the audience, consisting of ministers and military leaders, appeared gloomy, most notably Boris Pistorious, the German defense minister, who later chastised Mr. Vance for his remarks.

Ukraine‘s president will take center stage on Saturday, but he has been actively meeting with key ministers and engaging with the media.

He expressed his intentions regarding the structure of any potential peace discussions and indicated that he currently has no plans to communicate with any Russian officials.

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“First and foremost, I don’t wish to convene solely with Russia, just to convene for what purpose? No. We observe the sequence of meetings… it should be the United States, Europe, and then Russia – so as to be prepared for this gathering,” Mr. Zelenskyy articulated, addressing the audience in English.

He also provided insight into the magnitude of any international force that may be necessary to ensure peace in the event of a ceasefire with Vladimir Putin—expressing his desire for US involvement, despite the Defense Secretary having excluded the possibility of American troops on the ground.

“In terms of a contingent, I possess a map illustrating 110,000 foreign personnel. I am being forthright with you,” Mr. Zelenskyy remarked.

“Ideally, our allies who are seasoned at sea – such as the UK, the Nordic countries, etc. – if they are specialists, it would be optimal for them to operate at sea,” he stated.

“That’s the way it should be, to be perfectly transparent. Therefore, indeed, we desire the involvement of the United States—wouldn’t we? We genuinely do.”

Later in the day, in a separate, highly secured location, Mr. Zelenskyy and his senior aides positioned themselves across the table from Mr. Vance along with Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, and Keith Kellogg, the envoy of Mr. Trump for Ukraine and Russia.

The Ukrainian leader is tasked with executing a precarious balancing act—maintaining proximity to the Americans while also adhering to his non-negotiable conditions regarding concessions to Moscow.

“We had fruitful discussions today, our initial meeting—not the last,” Mr. Zelenskyy conveyed to the cameras in attendance.

“We need to communicate more, exert more effort, and devise a strategy on how to halt Putin and conclude the conflict.”

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Mr. Vance reiterated his supervisor’s aspirations.

“Our objective is to conclude the war, to halt the violence, but our goal is to establish a sustainable, enduring peace, rather than one that jeopardizes Eastern Europe with further conflicts just a few years down the line,” he commented.

However, there persists a concern that this may indeed transpire.

European partners are also apprehensive about being marginalized, with Ukraine’s future endangered due to the messages emanating from the White House regarding Vladimir Putin, his military actions in Ukraine, and accountability for the conflict.

Miguel Berger, Germany’s envoy to London, is among the many delegates who have convened for the three-day Munich Security Conference.

He articulated Berlin’s apprehensions concerning the United States in relation to Ukraine.

“We have several concerns,” the ambassador stated.

“To begin with, we were somewhat taken aback by some statements made during the NATO defense ministers’ assembly.

“I believe it is unwise to declare in advance what demands you will exclude from Putin or what you may be willing to concede.”

He further noted: “This is why it is imperative to utilize the Munich Security Conference to discuss all these issues, how we plan to navigate such dialogues, and the expected role of Europeans and Ukraine in those discussions.”