Share and Follow


United States Vice President JD Vance has accused European leaders of censoring free speech and failing to control immigration, drawing a sharp rebuke from Germany’s defence minister and overshadowing discussions on the war in Ukraine.
The prospect of peace talks had been expected to dominate the annual Munich Security Conference on Friday local time after a call between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin this week, but Vance barely mentioned Russia or Ukraine in his speech to the gathering.

He said the threat to Europe that worried him most was not Russia or China but what he called a retreat from fundamental values of protecting free speech — as well as immigration, which he said was “out of control” in Europe.

‘Unacceptable’

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius hit back in his speech to the conference later in the day, calling Vance’s remarks “unacceptable”.
He said Vance had called into question democracy not only in Germany but in Europe as a whole.

The clash underlined the divergent worldviews of Trump’s new administration and European leaders, making it hard for longtime allies the US and Europe to find common ground on issues including Ukraine.

Many conference delegates watched Vance’s speech in stunned silence. There was little applause as he delivered his remarks.

Trump’s call with Putin alarmed European governments, which have tried to isolate the Russian president since Moscow’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and fear they could be cut out of peace talks that would have repercussions for their own security.

Ukraine-US talks end without agreement on minerals deal

Talks between Zelenskyy and Vance ended in Munich on Friday without an announcement of a critical minerals deal that is central to Kyiv’s push to win the backing of Trump.

Kyiv came back to the US earlier with a revised draft agreement of the deal that could open up its vast resources of key minerals to US investment, amid concerns in Kyiv over a US version that was presented to Ukraine on Wednesday.

“Our teams will continue to work on the document,” Zelenskyy wrote on X, adding that he had had a “good meeting” with Vance and that Kyiv was “ready to move towards as quickly as possible towards a real and guaranteed peace”.

Two members of the Ukrainian delegation told Reuters that “some details” still needed to be worked out.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Having high cholesterol in the blood can lead to a buildup called "plaque" on the walls of the arteries, raising the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Breakthrough Daily Pill Shows Promise in Lowering Cholesterol: New US Trial Results Revealed

For individuals struggling with high cholesterol, even after implementing lifestyle changes and…

Why New Apartment Developments May Fail to Reduce Housing Prices: Expert Insights

As property prices across Australia continue to rise, many aspiring homeowners have…
Scotland 17 New Zealand 25: Deja Blue as Scots are forced to wait for win over All Blacks

Scotland’s Narrow Defeat to New Zealand: All Blacks Extend Unbeaten Streak as Scots Await Historic Victory

Scotland’s elusive quest to defeat New Zealand remains unfulfilled, as the familiar…

Philippines Braces for Typhoon Fung-wong Following Kalmaegi’s Devastating Toll of 204 Lives

The Philippines’ weather bureau has warned of life-threatening storm surges of up…
Sam Moodie

Shocking Magpie Attack: Child Hospitalized After Frightening Encounter on School Route

A routine walk home from school has left a 12-year-old girl in…

New Gunshot Evidence Sparks Fresh Investigation in Dezi Freeman Search Case

A reported single gunshot has sparked a fresh line of inquiry in…
NSW protests

Neo-Nazi Protest Unfolds Outside NSW Parliament, Leaving Police Commission Uninformed

Neo-Nazis have used NSW state parliament as their stage today to launch…

Ukrainian-Australians Urge Enhanced Measures Against Russian ‘Blood Oil

Key Points Experts say a “shadow fleet” continues to bring Russian oil…