- J. In his speech, D. Vance accused Europe of abandoning its own values, utilizing censorship, ignoring voters, and persecuting Christians
- Vance's speech was a “instrument of a fresh dark American soft power” that goes from Washington to Europe, says a commentator in Die Zeit.
- "The Europeans should yet accept the fact that has been there for years and now has hit them with full force – the United States has no longer felt liable for Europe's security," writes Markus Becker in "Der Spiegel"
- "Donald Trump is simply a disaster in terms of safety policy," writes Hubert Wetzel in Sueddeutsche Zeitung, adding that the view that a rich continent like Europe is incapable to arm itself against a medium-sized state like Russia is absurd
The U.S. Vice President's Friday speech at the Munich safety Conference devoted his full criticism to European democracy, accusing Europe of moving distant from its own values, utilizing censorship, ignoring voters and persecuting Christians. He considered it the biggest threat to the Old Continent.
“Die Zeit”: Vance’s speech is simply a hit with both
Vance's speech is both for Europe. This epochal phrase – the foundation of transatlantic relations has ceased to be common values – writes Anna Sauerbrey in a liberal-left weekly.
According to author Vance, “in caricature” he presented European democracies and free speech in Europe. Vance has shown "a fictional continent" that has nothing to do with reality. The allegations of alleged instrumentalisation of justice are absurd in view of what is happening in America – Trump's people release prosecutors, ignore court sentences and effort to dictate to the courts what they are expected to do. Why is Vence doing this? – the commentator wonders and points to 2 possible motives.
The Americans came to Brussels and Munich to show Europeans that Europe would not be treated as a partner, but as an insignificant addition. The second reason was to show a fresh alliance of the MAGA movement and populists in Europe. Vance appeared not only as a typical of the U.S. state, but besides as an ambassador for the global populist movement. Their aim is to weaken Europe's conservative parties. Vance's speech was a "instrument of a fresh dark American soft power" that goes from Washington to Europe.
There are 2 transatlantic relations – the first long-standing economical and political 1 that will not be spoken, and the second is simply a populist alliance that fights for dominance – concludes the commentator.
"Der Spiegel": Europeans remained alone
"European top politicians are inactive counting on the United States to force Putin into a fair peace in Ukraine. Trump and Vance have now made them realize that they consider them unnecessary," writes Markus Becker.
The vice president of the United States sees a greater threat in European governments than in Vladimir Putin, who attacked an armed neighbour. He besides sees no reason to defend himself together. “Without exaggeration, it could be said that it was a historical speech,” the author continues.
"Reactions in Europe seem helpless and desperate," said the commentator. Trump “give” Putin a telephone call, resigned from claims to lost areas, and besides removed his NATO membership from the table.
"The Europeans should yet accept the fact that has been there for years and now has hit them with full force - the United States has no longer felt liable for Europe's security. It is advanced time they took care of it, even if it costs money," concludes the commentator "Spiegel".
"Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung": cold shower for Europe
"Is Europe inactive worth defending? Vice president Vance is questioning. It is simply a fresh fuel in the run in Germany," writes Nikolas Busse.
In his speech at the Munich safety Conference, alternatively of talking about defence policy, he informed the participants that it was not Russia or China that was a threat, but what he called "the departure of Europe from its value."
"Vance combined the cultural war of the American right with aid to allies," writes the author. The Vice president of the United States pointed out that America defends European countries that “do not perceive to their peoples”.
Vance's speech is simply a "fuel" for German politicians participating in the pre-election campaign," the commentator believes. The German political class thought completely different than the American politician, and president Steinmeier's speech was proof of that.
Sueddeutsche Zeitung: Europe must halt feeling sorry for itself
"Donald Trump is simply a disaster in terms of safety policy," says Hubert Wetzel, adding that the view that a rich continent, which is Europe, is incapable to arm itself against a medium-sized state, Russia, is absurd.
In little than a period Trump has severely damaged an alliance built for 80 years. Nobody knows the value of NATO yet. You can, of course, rip your hair off, complain, cry and gnash your teeth, but that won't change the situation. An alternate would be to mobilise and effort to change the situation with your own forces. "Europe does not should be an involuntary addition to the US," the commentator stressed.
"Europe is now in shock from Trump's betrayal and humiliation. That's understandable. Shock, rage, and fear, however, cannot decide the future. There's a fresh gentleman in the White home now. Europeans are not its makers. And Trump cannot throw them out of Europe," says Sueddeutsche Zeitung.
Wetzel concludes that Germany will gotta finance the European defence if essential by means of common debts and that the fresh German Chancellor will actually gotta take over management in Europe.
"Bild": No time to sulk on America
The European Commission would be more dangerous than China and Russia? Seriously? – asks Jan Schaefer in “Bilda”. The commentator states that although the charges are absurd, it is not the time to retaliate against America and to “paint.” "The United States is inactive our closest and most crucial ally," the writer stressed. Our freedom and our prosperity inactive depend on America. Europe needs to be reinforced, and it will only be possible if the economy recovers.
