Vice President JD Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference has drawn praise from former Russian President and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev who lauded him for delivering a “bold” critique of Europe.
Medvedev’s comments, posted to Telegram on Saturday, suggested that Vance’s rhetoric took European leaders by surprise and aligned with Russian criticisms of Western democracies.
Newsweek reached out to the vice president’s office via email on Saturday for comment.
Why It Matters
Vance’s remarks in Munich have reignited debates over transatlantic relations, free speech and the role of the U.S. in European affairs. His speech was marked by strong language criticizing Europe’s governance, electoral systems and commitment to free expression.
The endorsement from Medvedev, who currently serves as deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia and is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, adds a geopolitical layer to the controversy—raising questions about how Vance’s views will be perceived domestically and abroad.
What to Know
Medvedev responded to Vance’s speech in a lengthy Telegram post, saying that the vice president had “turned on the heat.”
“Everyone expected the usual diplomatic courtesies,” he wrote.
“But instead, he harshly reprimanded the Europeans, who have completely lost themselves in recent years: your democracy is weak, your elections are garbage, and your rules, which violate basic human morality, are crap. And you don’t even have freedom of speech!” the Russian official said, characterizing the vice president’s speech.
“He’s actually a bold guy, even if still an inexperienced vice president. Moreover, he told the truth,” Medvedev said.
During his speech in Germany, Vance sharply criticized European governance, arguing that the continent faced internal problems and that its commitment to democracy and free speech was struggling.
“The threat that I worry the most about vis-à-vis Europe is not Russia, it’s not China, it’s not any other external actor. And what I worry about is the threat from within,” Vance said. “The retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values: values shared with the United States of America.”
Vance expressed alarm at reports that Romanian officials annulled an election under pressure from European leaders, citing supposed Russian disinformation.
“If your democracy can be destroyed with a few hundred dollars of digital advertising from a foreign country, then it wasn’t very strong to begin with,” Vance said, challenging European leaders to trust their citizens rather than restrict debate.
The vice president also took aim at what he called a “backslide” in individual liberties across the continent, citing actions by European governments to censor speech and police religious expression. He referenced a recent case in the United Kingdom where a man was convicted for breaching buffer laws surrounding abortion centers, created to protect women from anti-abortion protesters, by praying nearby.
“In Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat,” Vance said, adding that “you cannot win a democratic mandate by censoring your opponents or putting them in jail.”
He also criticized European authorities for allegedly suppressing political movements they disagree with.
“The organizers of this very conference have banned lawmakers representing populist parties on both the left and the right from participating in these conversations,” he noted. “We don’t have to agree with everything or anything that people say, but when political leaders represent an important constituency, it is incumbent upon us to at least participate in dialogue with them.”
Johannes Simon/Getty Images
What People Are Saying
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said in a Munich speech after Vance: “Democracy was just called into question by the U.S. vice president—and not only German democracy but all of Europe’s. If I understood him correctly, he compares the conditions here in Europe with those that prevail in some authoritarian regimes. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not acceptable.”
Representative Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, Friday: “JD Vance’s speech in Munich was one of the best speeches in recent memory about the state of our world. We’re so lucky to finally be able to be proud of the leaders of our nation. I remember seeing Joe & Kamala go abroad and just cringing for hours on end. America is back in business. The world knows!”
Representative Gerry Connolly, a Virginia Democrat, posted on X on Friday: “Vice President Vance stumbled on to the scene at the Munich Security Conference, delivering one of the most embarrassing performances we have ever seen from an American official. This was a major misstep by the Trump Administration.”
Dmitry Medvedev, in his Telegram post, wrote: “Today’s Europe, within the EU’s borders, is a bitter, feeble hag trying to disguise herself as a young and striking beauty. The era of such a Europe is irreversibly gone. It is weak, unattractive, and of little use to anyone—except itself.”
President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday: “I heard his speech and he talked about freedom of speech. And I think it’s true in Europe, it’s losing…They’re losing their wonderful right of freedom of speech. I see it. I mean, I thought he made a very good speech, actually, a very brilliant speech.”
What Happens Next
Vance’s remarks signal a shift in tone from previous U.S. administrations, which typically emphasized diplomatic unity with Europe. His remarks echo similar comments routinely shared by Trump and other Republicans.
European leaders, meanwhile, may seek to address concerns raised by Vance, either by reaffirming their democratic commitments or by pushing back against what they view as undue criticism.
