The Vice President of the USA, Jay D. Vance, delivered a harsh critique of the EU’s approach to countering propaganda, including Russian propaganda, in Munich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vance\u2019s controversial speech was heard at the Munich Security Conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He devoted the main part of his speech to criticizing the EU\u2019s policy on combating fake news and propaganda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Vice President began with a statement that, in the opinion of the USA, there is no reason to speak about a common vision of democracy on both sides of the Atlantic. “For years, we were told that we help you for the sake of common values,” he reminded, after which he set out to prove that European values are already irrelevant for the new US government, as Europe\u2019s measures against propaganda, in his belief, restrict freedom of speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As an example proving this thesis, he cited the cancellation of the Romanian presidential elections due to Russian interference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“You may think this is about Russian interference via social media… But if your democracy can be destroyed by social media ads worth a few thousand dollars \u2013 maybe that democracy wasn\u2019t that strong after all?” he mocked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vance emphasized that, due to these considerations, he does not see space for cooperation in the field of security either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There can be no security if you are fighting thoughts, the beliefs of your people,” the Vice President stated. “If you fear voices in your country, then America will not help you, and you will give nothing to America,” he stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite such harsh statements, Vance\u2019s speech did not include details on what practical actions the USA would take based on this logic. It is also notable that, in his speech at the Munich Security Conference, he did not mention “hard security” issues, such as the Russian war against Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As previously reported, currently, in the opinion of the President of Ukraine, Europe is uniting around Ukraine because of Trump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the same time, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated in Munich that some of the comments from the USA can be agreed upon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated that he is ready to arrive to Moscow for negotiations on Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also expressed confidence that the U.S. could negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n