Rutte calls Vance's speech philosophical and urges Europe to take care of security
Mark Rutte (photo: Getty Images)
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described US Vice President JD Vance's controversial speech on Friday, February 14, at the Munich Security Conference as philosophical. He also urged Europe to grow up and take responsibility for its security, according to CNN.
In his speech, Vance accused European leaders of suppressing freedom of speech and refusing to work with far-right parties in government, a point which German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called unacceptable.
"The vice president giving a more philosophical speech here, but he very much stressed the unity of the US and Europe that we are really one family and indeed where he alluded to our common values of free speech, of democracy, etc. and these are values which bind us," said Rutte.
Regarding NATO's spending, the Secretary-General acknowledged US dissatisfaction with its higher defense costs compared to other Alliance members and stated that Europe must grow up and take responsibility for its security.
Rutte also mentioned that high-ranking American officials expressed to him the need to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible.
"A final deal in Ukraine has to be a strong deal… A weak deal on Ukraine will not only have consequences here in Europe and for the collective NATO security, but also for China which will then feel emboldened to move with whatever they want to do," he said.
After his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on February 14, JD Vance stated that the US wants the war between Russia and Ukraine to end, but a lasting peace is necessary. This was the first meeting between Zelenskyy and Vance since Donald Trump came to power in the US.
For more details on the basis of Vance's statements, read the full article by RBC-Ukraine.
