Munich Security Conference: Europe in the shadow of the Trump era!

Munich Security Conference: Europe in the shadow of the Trump era!

The Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2025, which ended on Sunday in an emotional atmosphere, revealed deep tensions between Europe and the USA. Christoph Heusgen, the event's outgoing leader, expressed concern about ongoing problems in transatlantic relations and described the conference as a "European nightmare." Heusgen noted that the current America under Trump is “living on a different planet,” which is particularly reflected in the critical statements made by US Vice President J.D. Vance became clear. Vance sharply attacked the EU and accused European governments of restricting freedom of expression through their regulations on large US tech companies and their treatment of the AfD, which caused constant discussions in the conference ZDF reported.

The conference also focused on the Ukraine conflict, in which Heusgen called for Europe to play a central role in future peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. This was also joined by leading European politicians such as Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who emphasized that Europe must be involved in all discussions about a possible end to the war. A striking point was the statement by the US special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, who made it clear that Europe had no place at the negotiating table with Vladimir Putin. This underlines the current challenges and the need for Europe to develop its own security plan for Ukraine, Heusgen said. He explained that Europe would have to “show a lot more strength” to change the situation.

A new chairman takes over

The 61st MSC was the last under the leadership of Christoph Heusgen, who took over the chairmanship in 2022 when the Ukraine conflict effectively began. He will be succeeded by former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Heusgen's term of office was heavily influenced by developments in the war, and many high-ranking participants, including his predecessor Wolfgang Ischinger, paid him respect for his work. Stoltenberg will now have to continue to lead the MSC through the changing geopolitical landscape and challenges in the transatlantic relationship as differences between the US and Europe have become increasingly apparent, as have media reports from crown show.