The annual three-day gathering in the Bavarian city saw a whole host of leaders offer, at times, competing visions of the world.
Global leaders, ministers and other key policymakers descended on Munich over the weekend to discuss the main challenges facing the world, with Ukraine and the possible launch of peace negotiations with Russia topping the agenda.
The must-watch speeches, delivered by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and the new US Vice-President JD Vance, starkly exposed how disconnected the two sides of the Atlantic are becoming over their assessments of the threats ahead.
Euronews listened to it all to bring you the seven quotes that need to be remembered from the annual three-day gathering.
“I can announce that I will propose to activate the escape clause for defence investments. This will allow member states to substantially increase their defence expenditure,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.
Context: EU member states need to invest €500 billion in defence over the coming decade and leaders are struggling to agree on common instruments.
The fiscal rule relaxation was already tipped as a potential solution earlier this month by EU leaders following an informal retreat on defence. It would enable member states with little fiscal wriggle room to boost defence spending without falling foul of EU rules and becoming the target of an Excessive Deficit Procedure that can lead to fines.
Eight member states are currently targeted by such a procedure.
Von der Leyen told the conference the measure would be part of a “bold new approach”, because “when it comes to European security, Europe has to do more. Europe must bring more to the table”.
“The threat that I worry the most about vis-a-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: the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America,” the US Vice-President said on Friday.
Context: Europe was hoping Vance would provide some clarity on the US administration’s strategy for peace talks with Russia, following comments earlier in the week by Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth.
A statement from the US President implied Europe, and Ukraine, could be excluded from negotiations with Russia, while the Defence Secretary said that it is “unrealistic” for Ukraine to believe it will become a member of Ukraine or that it would return to its pre-2014 borders.
But Vance made just a passing reference to Ukraine and instead dedicated his 10-minute keynote speech to excoriating Europe for allegedly backsliding on democratic values and not listening to its voters.
Munich Security Conference: Here are the 7 quotes you need to remember
