Vice President JD Vance sharply criticized European governments, accusing them of undermining free speech and democratic values

On February 14, 2025, U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivered a confrontational speech to the Munich Security Conference which targeted European governing bodies for their mishandling of free speech and democratic principles.

This speech has begun a discussion between the United States and Europe about their ongoing diplomatic relationship.

The Vice President made it clear in his speech that European countries faced their biggest democratic threats from within their own borders instead of from outside forces such as Russia or China. The speaker expressed his worry about large-scale immigration whereas he pointed to Germany's highest population of foreign nationals in history while condemning European leaders because of their alleged silencing of opposition and media limitations.

The report detailed social media restrictions in Brussels alongside the anti-feminist raids throughout Germany and Christian activist convictions in Sweden alongside religious rights erosions in the UK during his address to Vance.

European government officials strongly denounced the speech which provoked mass criticism. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius declared that Vance's links between European territories and authoritarian governments stand as unacceptable statements.

In an interview, Kaja Kallas who leads European Union diplomacy accused the United States of deliberate actions that appear to provoke European allies. Swedish former Prime Minister Carl Bildt declared Vance's speech worse than any expectations while charging Vance with directly interfering in European political matters.