61 took place on 14-16 February. Munich safety Conference – 1 of the most crucial global events devoted to the global challenges of abroad and safety policy. This cyclical meeting, held since 1963, brings together heads of state, Heads of Government, representatives of global organisations, ministers, members of parliament, high-ranking representatives of the armed forces, experts, as well as representatives of civilian society, business and media.
This year's edition took place at the time of crucial global changes and attempts to form a fresh planet order. The event dominated the topics of war in Ukraine, agreements with Russia, as well as the future of Europe. All this in the shadow of Donald Trump's re-election, the upcoming accelerated elections with our western neighbour, as well as the fresh word of office of the European institutions in Brussels – including the Polish Presidency of the EU Council[1].
Transatlantic “exchange of courtesy” – 14.02.2025
The Munich conference was opened by the president of Germany – Frank-Walter Steinmeier. During his beginning speech, he pointed out the credibility of Germany as an global partner. ‘Germany will stay a reliable partner“ Steinmeier said. The words of the president of the West Germany were spoken in the shadows, scheduled for Sunday on 23 February of the accelerated parliamentary elections. However, as he described himself, “This is not a origin for concern.”[2]. During his speech, the president of Germany assured that "Even in a period of political change, we will proceed to look after our interests, search solutions and grow global partnerships‘[3].
This event was besides an chance to discuss the future of the European Union. president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced the acceleration of work on Ukraine's accession process to the EU, calling Ukraine part of a European family. The chief of the Commission besides stated that it would propose an escape clause in the stableness Pact, which aims to enable associate States to importantly increase their investment in defence[4].
‘Many people in Europe's safety circles were confused, and any even worried about the comments made earlier this week by elder U.S. officials [let's remind you that this is about Pete Hegseth's statement, the head of the Pentagon, who supported the U.S. President's thought to increase the threshold of defence spending in NATO to 5 percent – cited]. But we should be honest here, and we gotta avoid outrage and screaming. If we perceive to the essence of these comments, we will not only realize where they come from, but we will consider that there are any comments that we can agree on.‘[5].
J.D. Vance’s speech echoed. Vice president of the United States, attacked European elites, accusing them of a bad state of European democracy, limiting freedom of speech, losing control of immigration and not cooperating with right-wing parties. He stressed that Russia or China are not the biggest threat to Europe, but the threat of “internal”[6].
‘The threat I am most afraid about in Europe is not Russia, not China, nor any another external actor. I am afraid about the interior threat, the withdrawal of Europe from any of its most basic values”[7"That's Vance.
During his speech, J.D. Vance spared no criticism. He commented on the arrest in Britain of a man for praying close the abortion clinic, convicting an anti-Islamic activist in Sweden for public smoking the Quran. He besides referred to last year's presidential election in Romania, saying – “When we see European courts canceling elections and high-ranking officials threatening to appeal others, we request to ask ourselves whether we are complying with advanced standards.“
Vance concluded his speech by quoting the words of John Paul II: “Don't be afraid“, stressing the request for openness to different views and avoiding censorship. His speech met with mixed reactions, triggering both support and criticism from European leaders.
During the event there was besides a voice from China, represented by Wang Yi – abroad Minister. Chinese MFA assured that “China has always seen an crucial pole in Europe in a multipolar world. Both sides are partners, not rivals”[8]. In his statements Wang Yi emphasized his country's willingness to cooperate with Europe, in order to “Deepening strategical communication and mutually beneficial cooperation”[9]. Wang Yi besides called for peace on a just, lasting and binding agreement[10].
The EU advanced typical Kaja Kallas besides met with the Chinese abroad Minister, who besides assured “readiness to proceed dialog and cooperation in selected areas specified as trade, economical affairs and climate change”[11].
What's next with Ukraine? “Peace through strength?” – 15.02.2025
The second day of the conference further illustrated the tensions between the United States and European allies. General Keith Kellogg – U.S. peculiar Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, made it clear that “Europe will not be straight at the negotiating table on the end of the war in Ukraine due to the fact that we do not want to repeat Minsk[the Minsk Agreements of 2014 and 2015 temporarily frozen the war in east Ukraine, but did not destruct its causes – cited above]”12]. Kellogg's role, as he himself stated, is to collect and take into account the opinions of the European countries, but 2 protagonists (Russia and Ukraine) will sit at the negotiating table with the intermediary (United States).
In consequence to Vance’s criticism and Kellogg’s statement, French president Emmanuel Macron convened an urgent summit of European leaders to discuss Ukraine’s future. It took place on Monday – 17.02.
The president of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenski besides spoke. He raised key issues concerning Europe's safety and the conflict with Russia. He talked about the request to make “European armed forces", arguing that Europe must be able to defend itself and cannot trust solely on the support of the United States[13]. He warned against the threat from Russian forces stationed in Belarus, suggesting that they could pose a danger not only to Ukraine but besides to NATO countries bordering Belarus[14]. He besides highlighted in the context of the peace negotiations with Russia the request for "real safety guarantees“ before any conversation begins.
The thought of creating a “European army”, described the skepticism of Radosław Sikorski, identifying the thought of Zelenski – an thought that will not happen[15]. It is worth recalling that the Union's common abroad and safety policy requires unanimity, and the thought of creating a European army is nothing new. The Polish abroad Minister took an active part in the Munich event. He stressed the request to increase defence spending among European countries, and besides said that “The hard signal we receive from this conference is, as the president of Ukraine said Volodymyr Zelenski from the depth of the war tragedy of his country, that Europe must start to take its safety seriously”[16].
During the event the Secretary-General of NATO – Mark Rutte, who warned that “whatever comes from the negotiations must be sustainable and credible. There is consensus on this in Europe and the US. If only Ukraine cares about the duration of the truce, it may not be enough”[17]. He pointed out that the Alliance is united in supporting Ukraine and strengthening its position in possible negotiations. Rutte besides announced, “that the members of the alliance will gotta increase their defence spending. This figure will well exceed 3% of GDP”[18].
End of conference – 16.02.2025. Conclusion
On Sunday 16.02.2025 – 61st Munich safety Conference came to an end, leaving participants with many key questions about the future of global security. The three-day gathering in Munich focused primarily on the war in Ukraine, the peace talks with Russia and the future of Europe in the face of a changing global agreement of forces. These themes dominated discussions that clearly showed tensions between the US and Europe, on issues of democracy, defence and global cooperation.
During the last day, 1 of the leading themes was the issue of Ukraine's support. Finland's president – Alexander Stubb, said: “Before peace negotiations on Ukraine begin and there is simply a ceasefire, the Ukrainian army must be armed and sanctions imposed on Russia, including freezing its assets”[19].
Some experts believe that the conference has proved to be a “cold water witness” for the heads of European leaders [20]. The meetings showed the request to step up efforts to strengthen European defence and ask ourselves questions about the future of Europe without crucial support from the United States. All this in the context of the loud speeches of American representatives who made it clear that the US was going to prosecute its own interests.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk besides referred to the event, who wrote on his X portal: “I like this place very much as a tourist. good people, excellent beer, amazing Pinakoteka” – wrote the Prime Minister of the Polish government on profile X and added: "As a historian and politician, all I can say present is: Munich. No more”[21].
To sum up whether a conference that many commentators considered a fiasco [22Will it truly have a crucial impact? It has surely become an crucial minute that has illustrated the challenges facing Europe and its allies in the context of global threats and the increasing geopolitical rivalry. The conference, although full of different positions, created a space for further debate on the future of peace, safety and global cooperation in the face of uncertainty and changing planet order. She put the question “Quo Vadis Europo?” which, if we want to stay an crucial and crucial player, we will gotta face.
