US Vice President JD Vance took a swipe at European governments for what he described as their censorship of free speech and their political opponents, while largely avoiding the question of how to resolve the Ukraine war.
Speaking to European political leaders, military officers and diplomats at the Munich Security Conference, Vance shocked the audience by dismissing risk of Russian political interference in Europe, taking a similar stance to US President Donald Trump, who has railed against claims by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia had interfered on his behalf in the 2016 election.
Instead, he adopted a confrontational tone, accusing European politicians of what he said was a fear of their own people and warned them that the real threat against their democracy was not from Russia or China.
"The threat I worry the most about vis-a-vis Europe is not Russia, it's not China, it's not any other external actor. What I worry about is the threat from within, the retreat of Europe from some its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America," Vance said.
It comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Russia will station 150,000 troops in Belarus this year that could be used against Nato members.
Zelensky is preparing to meet with Vance at the Munich Security Conference on Friday amid the push by Washington for talks to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
European leaders were alarmed after President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he had held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to effectively begin negotiations without seeking the cooperation of Kyiv.
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Key points
- UK can send peace-keeping troops to Ukraine to deter new Putin attack, says minister
- Chernobyl hit by Russian drone strike, says Zelensky
- Lammy to meet Navalny’s widow as UK announces further Russian sanctions
- ‘Stench’ of Nazi appeasement hangs over Donald Trump Ukraine peace talks with Vladimir Putin, says Ben Wallace
Coverage ends
20:40That concludes our coverage today of the Munich security conference. Thanks for joining us. Visit Standard.co.uk tomorrow for more from the conference.
Zelensky demands 'security guarantees' from Vance before peace talks
20:38 , Matt WattsVolodymyr Zelensky said during a meeting with US vice president JD Vance that Ukraine wants "security guarantees" before any talks to end the Ukraine-Russia war.
Shortly before sitting down with Mr Vance at the Munich Security Conference, the Ukrainian president said he will only agree to meet in-person with Russian leader Vladimir Putin after a common plan is negotiated with US President Donald Trump.
For full details read our report here.
Vance's speech 'emboldens adversaries' says Senator Kim
17:10 , Megan HoweUS Senator Andy Kim said on X: “I was in the room in Munich for VP Vance’s speech. No talk about Russia, Ukraine, China. Just criticisms of our allies and focus on “the threat from within.”
“His speech is going to embolden our adversaries who will see this as a green light to act while America is distracted/divided.”
I was in the room in Munich for VP Vance’s speech. No talk about Russia, Ukraine, China. Just criticisms of our allies and focus on “the threat from within.” His speech is going to embolden our adversaries who will see this as a green light to act while America is… https://t.co/vXPp8m4XeV
— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) February 14, 2025
Zelensky's meeting with Vance has started, Ukrainian leader's press secretary says
16:51 , Megan HowePrior to the talks with US Vice President Vance, Zelensky said the only Russian official he would be willing to talk with was Vladimir Putin.
"I will meet with only one Russian guy, with Putin, only after we will have common plan with Trump, Europe. And we will sit with Putin and stop the war. Only in this case I am ready to meet," Zelensky said.
Vance accuses European politicians of censoring free speech
16:41 , Megan HoweU.S. Vice President JD Vance took a swipe at European governments for what he described as their censorship of free speech and their political opponents, while largely avoiding the question of how to resolve the Ukraine war.
Vance dismissed the risk of Russian political interference in Europe, taking a similar stance to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has railed against claims by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia had interfered on his behalf in the 2016 election.
Vance adopted a confrontational tone, accusing European politicians of what he said was a fear of their own people and warned them that the real threat against their democracy was not from Russia or China.
"The threat I worry the most about in Europe is not Russia, it's not China, it's not any other external actor. What I worry about is the threat from within, the retreat of Europe from some its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America," Vance said.
A Reuters reporter in one of the side rooms where more delegates could listen to Vance said people appeared stunned and did not applaud.
The vice president's speech sparked immediate criticism in Europe.
German defence minister says Vance's comments 'not acceptable'
15:58 , Megan HoweGerman defence minister Boris Pistorius has branded Vance’s comments at the conference as ‘not acceptable’.
"If I understood him correctly he is comparing parts of Europe with authoritarian regimes. This is not acceptable,” Pistorius said.
This is in relation to the following comments made by Vance:
"The Cold War positioned defenders of democracy against much more tyrannical forces on this continent, and consider the side in that fight that censored dissidents, that closed churches, that cancelled elections. Were they the good guys? Certainly not. And thank God they lost the Cold War. They lost because they neither valued nor respected all of the extraordinary blessings of liberty."
He later added: "And unfortunately, when I look at Europe today, it's sometimes not so clear what happened to some of the Cold War's winners."
'We need a surge in EU defence spending'
15:51 , Megan HowePresident of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has called for a surge in EU defence spending.
Taking to X she wrote: “Europe must bring more to the table. I will propose to activate the escape clause for defence investments.
“It will allow Member States to substantially increase their defence expenditure, in a controlled and conditional way.”
We need a surge in 🇪🇺 defence spending.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 14, 2025
Europe must bring more to the table.
I will propose to activate the escape clause for defence investments.
It will allow Member States to substantially increase their defence expenditure, in a controlled and conditional way.
Vance criticises UK over legal case
15:17 , Daniel KeaneUS vice-president JD Vance has criticised the UK over a legal case in which a former serviceman who silently prayed outside an abortion clinic was convicted of breaching the safe zone around the centre.
He claimed there had been a "backslide away from conscience rights has placed the basic liberties of religious Britons in particular in the crosshairs".
Mr Vance referred to the conviction of Adam Smith-Connor, 51, who was found guilty last year of failing to comply with the public space protection order in November 2022.
In a wider attack on what he suggested was a shift away from democratic values in Europe, he told the Munich Security Conference: "A little over two years ago, the British government charged Adam Smith-Connor, a 51-year-old physiotherapist and an Army veteran, with the heinous crime of standing 50 metres from an abortion clinic and silently praying for three minutes, not obstructing anyone, not interacting with anyone, just silently praying on his own.
"After British law enforcement spotted him and demanded to know what he was praying for, Adam replied simply, it was on behalf of the unborn son he and his former girlfriend had aborted years before.
"Now the officers were not moved - Adam was found guilty of (breaking) the Government's new buffer zones law, which criminalises silent prayer and other actions that could influence a person's decision within 200 metres of abortion facility.
“He was sentenced to pay thousands of pounds in legal costs to the prosecution... in Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat."
Vance uses conference speech to attack Europe over free speech
14:27 , Daniel KeaneUS vice president JD Vance used his speech before the Munich Security Conference to deride Europe for suppressing free speech.
Mr Vance says that freedom is danger across the continent.
Mr Vance also urged European officials to stem illegal migration, says voters do not want "floodgates" to open to millions.
The vice president also hammered home the US demand that the Nato alliance step up defence spending, ahead of a security meeting in Europe at a time of intense concern and uncertainty over the Trump administration's foreign policy.
Putin discusses Trump call with Russian security council
13:53 , Daniel KeaneThe Kremlin said that President Vladimir Putin had discussed the details of his recent call with US President Donald Trump and the general state of US-Russia ties with Russia's Security Council on Friday, the state TASS news agency reported.
The two presidents spoke by phone on Wednesday.
NATO chief urges Europe to present Ukraine proposals and boost defence spending
12:54 , Sami QuadriNATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called on European nations to develop detailed proposals for Ukraine if they wish to influence future peace negotiations.
"I really believe that what my Europeans friends need to do is to come up with concrete plans… and then they'll be part of the conversation," he said as leaders gathered for the Munich Security Conference.
Meeting with US Vice President JD Vance, Rutte backed Trump's position on European defence spending. "We have to spend more. The European part of NATO has to spend more," the NATO chief said, adding: "We have to bring it up to, as I said before, probably north of 3 per cent."
Pictured: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in Munich
12:37 , Sami Quadri
Berlin says Vance should not interfere in German politics
12:24 , Daniel KeaneA German government spokesperson said on Friday that US Vice President JD Vance should not interfere in the German election campaign ahead of a snap poll on February 23.
"I don't think it is right for foreigners, including those from friendly foreign countries, to interfere so intensively in an election campaign in the middle of an election period," the spokesperson said.
The Wall Street Journal had cited Vance as saying he would urge German politicians to work with all parties, including the far-right Alternative for Germany, which other parties have refused to cooperate with.
"It is good practice for the citizens of a country to decide who they vote for and what their principles are, and not to take advice from others," the government spokesperson said.
Starmer discusses forthcoming US visit with Trump
12:03Sir Keir Starmer discussed "his forthcoming visit to the US" with Donald Trump on Thursday night during a meeting with the President's special envoy to the UK, Downing Street has said.
A spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister was pleased to host President Trump's special envoy to the United Kingdom, Mark Burnett, at Downing Street last night, during which he took a call from President Trump and discussed his forthcoming visit to the US.
"Mr Burnett and the Prime Minister agreed on the unique and special nature of the UK-US relationship, the strength of our alliance, and the warmth of the connection between the two countries.
"Mr Burnett reflected on his personal connections to the UK, and his mother's experience working part-time in Downing Street as a waitress over 30 years ago.
"They emphasised the huge potential for even stronger collaboration on trade, tech and cultural matters between the US and the UK, and looked forward to working together."
Russia to station 'up to 150,000 troops in Belarus that could attack Nato', says Zelensky
11:37 , Daniel KeaneRussia will station 150,000 troops in Belarus this year that could be used against Nato members, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed.
“This year, Russia will prepare 15 divisions for training and strengthening the situation in the Belarusian direction. It will be 100,000-150,000 people," Mr Zelensky said.
"And I am not sure that this group will go on the offensive against Ukraine. But it will go on the offensive.
"I am not intimidating anyone. They can simply go on the offensive into Ukraine, just like they went in 2022… or they will go to Poland or the Baltic countries.”
UK can send peace-keeping troops to Ukraine to deter new Putin attack, says minister
11:09 , Daniel KeaneBritain has the capability to send peace-keeping troops to Ukraine, says a Cabinet minister.
Science Secretary Peter Kyle stressed that the UK was a “leading country when it comes to peace-keeping”.
Sir Keir Starmer said on a visit to Kyiv in January that Britain would play its “full part” in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine.
Asked on ITV’s Good Morning Britain whether the UK had the capability to do this given the cuts to the armed forces, Mr Kyle said: “We certainly have the capability.
“Britain is a leading country when it comes to peace-keeping.
“We have done it in many situations before.
“Our armed forces are capable of doing so.”
Read our full story here.
Zelensky says he will visit UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey
10:55 , Daniel KeaneUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday he would visit the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in a fresh diplomatic effort.
It comes as his country's war with Russia enters an unpredictable phase of diplomacy.
The Ukrainian leader, who was speaking on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, did not say exactly when he would make the trip.
He said he had no current plans to meet with US or Russian officials during those visits.
Lammy to meet widow of Alexei Navalny
10:36 , Daniel KeaneForeign Secretary David Lammy will meet the widow of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny at a major security summit as Britain announces further sanctions on people with links to Vladimir Putin's inner circle.
The Foreign Secretary will have talks with Yulia Navalnaya and reflect on her husband's enduring legacy at the Munich Security Conference nearly a year on from his death.
Mr Lammy said in a statement: "I am announcing further sanctions to keep up the pressure on Putin. Ukrainians are fighting for their country's future and the principle of sovereignty across Europe at the frontline.
"Nearly a year on from the death of Alexei Navalny, I am honoured to meet with Yulia Navalnaya and make clear our commitment to weaken Putin's attempts to stifle political opposition and crack down on the Kremlin's corrupt dealings globally.
"We are calling on our friends and allies to continue to step up in the face of ongoing Russian aggression."
Ukraine hands over draft minerals deal to US, Kyiv source says
10:15 , Daniel KeaneUkraine has finished work on a draft minerals agreement and handed it over to the United States for review, a source in the Ukrainian delegation at the Munich Security Conference said on Friday.
Kyiv has said it is ready to reach an agreement with Washington to open up its vast resources of key minerals to US investment as it seeks to obtain security guarantees as part of a peace deal to end the war with Russia.
Meeting between JD Vance and Zelensky postponed
09:58 , Daniel KeaneThe meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and US Vice President JD Vance in Munich has been postponed to 4pm, a source in the Ukrainian delegation told Reuters on Friday.
Starmer says peace talks must talk place with Ukraine
09:32 , Daniel KeaneSir Keir Starmer rejected Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin holding talks to end the Ukraine war without Kyiv being present.
The British Prime Minister delivered the crystal clear message as the US president and Russian leader were expected to hold bilateral negotiations on a peace deal, as well as separate talks involving Ukraine.
Sir Keir spoke to Mr Zelensky on Friday morning.
Afterwards, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s concrete support for Ukraine, for as long as it’s needed.
“He was unequivocal that there could be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine.
“Ukraine needed strong security guarantees, further lethal aid and a sovereign future, and it could count on the UK to step up, he added.
“The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to Ukraine being on an irreversible path to NATO, as agreed by Allies at the Washington Summit last year.
“Discussing the upcoming third anniversary of Ukraine’s courageous defence of its sovereignty in the face of Russia’s barbaric full-scale invasion, the leaders agreed that it would be an important moment to demonstrate international unity and support for Ukraine.
“The leaders also reflected on the Prime Minister’s visit to Kyiv last month, and the President updated on his plans at Munich Security Conference.
“They agreed to stay in close contact.”
'Crucial opportunity' to end war, says UK minister
09:16The UK is working to seize the "crucial opportunity" of negotiations to end the Ukraine war, a Cabinet minister has said as global leaders gather on fragile diplomatic terms for a major security summit in Munich.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle also praised Donald Trump for being "so dedicated" to bringing a close to the fighting after the US president declared that he and Vladimir Putin had agreed to "work together" on resolving the conflict.
Speaking to broadcasters on the morning media round, Mr Kyle declined to say whether the US president's approach to Mr Putin was akin to the appeasement of Hitler in the 1930s.
"We need to act coolly and calmly going forward, and listen to what President Zelensky says he needs, and to be there to support him for it," he told LBC.
"It is great that we have a US president that is now so dedicated to bringing this war to an end. His defence secretary said that everything is on the table.
"This is a crucial opportunity and we want to make sure that this crucial opportunity is seized with both hands, and Britain is here in the middle of it, making sure that our voice and our desires and needs are here and taken care of and represented in the best way possible, too."
Welcome
08:55 , Daniel KeaneWelcome to our live blog ahead of a busy day in global politics and diplomacy.
Vice President JD Vance will lead the US delegation to the Munich Security Conference that starts today in the southern German city.
World leaders and diplomats are gathering amid intense concern and uncertainty over the Trump administration's foreign policy.
Vance is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for talks that many — particularly in Europe — hope will shed at least some light on Trump's ideas for a negotiated settlement to the war.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was supposed to join Vance and Zelensky but was delayed when his Air Force plane had to return to Washington after developing a mechanical problem en route to Munich.
