MUNICH, Germany — In a significant diplomatic snub, United States Vice President JD Vance has chosen not to engage in discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the upcoming Munich Security Conference. This decision arrives amidst growing transatlantic tensions concerning a potential peace deal for Ukraine, raising eyebrows at a time when collaborative dialogue is crucial.
Geopolitical context and implications
A German official confirmed that despite the absence of a meeting in Munich, Vance and Scholz had previously conferred at an artificial intelligence summit in Paris just days prior. However, the geopolitical landscape has evolved considerably since that encounter. Notably, U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a unilateral approach to peace negotiations in Ukraine, sidelining European allies such as Germany. Given that Scholz is hosting the event, Vance’s refusal to meet him is particularly noteworthy.
The ramifications of this diplomatic decision extend beyond the conference itself. With a snap election looming in Germany in just ten days, Scholz’s prospects are complicated by the contrasting engagement he faces with his center-right political opponent, Friedrich Merz, who is anticipated to meet Vance for approximately 20 minutes during the conference.
Reactions and perspectives
Sources indicate that there was never an intention for Vance to meet with Scholz, as arrangements were set in motion before the conference, even while meetings with lower-level officials, including British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Merz, were on the agenda.
“We don’t need to see him, he won’t be chancellor long,”
an official familiar with Vance’s team remarked, showcasing a dismissive attitude toward the German leader. This sentiment was echoed by another German official, who commented, “It is disrespectful toward Germany. I can’t stand Scholz but he is still our chancellor. But it fits … the Trump administration doesn’t care about its allies.”
Despite the controversy surrounding his absence, Vice President Vance will still conduct a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whose role is largely ceremonial. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Chancellor Minister Wolfgang Schmidt are expected to join the initial portion of this meeting to represent the government’s interests.
One senior Eastern European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed concern, stating, “This is an embarrassing setback that just shows how Germany isn’t taken seriously as a major power player in Europe by the Trump team.”
Requests for comments from Vance’s team have gone unanswered thus far, leaving many questions regarding the implications of this diplomatic choice unanswered.