Vance criticized establishment politics, urged Europe to tighten its migration policies, and likened EU leaders to Soviet commissars for opposing far-right politicians. His remarks heightened concerns among European security officials that the U.S. was rapidly shifting away from its long-standing transatlantic commitments—leaving Europe with little recourse.
“This is a different America,” said a former senior U.S. diplomat. “The United States that Europe relied on for decades is gone. Maybe this will finally be the wake-up call Europe needs.”
POLITICO spoke with 14 conference attendees, some of whom were granted anonymity to speak openly. Many expressed a mix of shock and frustration in response to Vance’s comments.
In an overflow room, where attendees gathered due to the main conference hall being packed, Vance’s reference to “shared values” was met with sarcastic laughter. On two occasions, individuals could be heard repeating the phrase, “That was some weird shit,”—a reference to George W. Bush’s reaction to Trump’s inaugural speech in 2017.
Diplomatic professionals were equally unsettled. “This is completely insane and deeply concerning,” remarked one German official.
A former Democratic congressional staffer also voiced alarm: “I was stunned. He was accusing Europe of interfering in its own elections—essentially blaming the victim.”
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