Munich Security Conference chairman weeps over deepening division in NATO

The chairman of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) has become emotional, shedding tears over US Vice President JD Vance’s divisive speech revealing the deep friction among members of NATO.

Vance’s controversial speech on Wednesday and Friday highlighted the crises in Europe.

The US official criticized European leaders’ values and priorities, accusing them of being opposed to democracy and free speech, and likening them to Communist 'Commissars.'

Vance said the present-day issues affecting the EU nations were all self-centered with the “danger from within.”

Christoph Heusgen, who is a career diplomat and has served as MSC chairman since 2022, voiced concern that members of NATO no longer shared common values.

The conference, traditionally a platform for discussing global security threats to foster cooperation between transatlantic allies, has turned into a platform illustrating the current frictions in US-Europe relations.

"This conference started as a transatlantic conference. After Vice President Vance's speech on Friday, we should fear that our common value base is no longer so common anymore,” Heusgen said during his speech at the closing ceremony of the 61st MSC event on Friday.

His voice was breaking with emotion as he was visibly moved to tears. He then interrupted his speech.

"Let me finish. This is getting tough," he continued.

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Heusgen then thanked the European leaders who responded to Vance's critical remarks and "reaffirmed the values and principles they defend."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on February 15, defended Germany’s democracy and its regulations on hate speech, saying in an indirect response to Vance that Germans will not accept foreign interference in their politics.

However, the emotional reaction from Heusgen, who is typically known for his composed demeanor, underscores the seriousness with which European leaders are taking the Yanks’ criticisms.

After the conference concluded, the incident left many reflecting on the future of transatlantic alliances at a time when US-European relations were under strain.

Vance’s address highlighted deep concerns regarding freedom of speech, political correctness, and the mishandling of immigration policies within the European Union.

Vance's blistering attack on European leadership has also sparked a wider debate on the common values and principles shared between the US and Europe, particularly in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Experts say Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference, which was supposed to focus on the Ukraine war, abruptly ended Washington’s decades-long alliances with European capitals.

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