US Vice President JD Vance criticized European democracies at the Munich Security Conference, arguing that their greatest threat came from within rather than from Russia or China.

He accused European governments, including the UK, of retreating from core values and ignoring voter concerns on migration and free speech.

Vance’s speech, which focused on culture-war issues, was met with silence and later denounced by several politicians, including German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

He also called on Europe to take more responsibility for its defense, echoing the Trump administration’s stance.

His comments on free speech and migration were disputed by European leaders, with some calling his remarks “insulting” and “false,” the BBC has reported.

Vance briefly addressed the Ukraine conflict but mostly focused on internal European issues, including the UK’s abortion protest laws and Germany’s far-right party debate.

Written by B.C. Begley