During the reporting on the Munich Security Conference, an unfortunate error occurred at the ORF. In a live broadcast with security expert Nico Lange on the program ZIB2, a belt buckle was shown, mistakenly labeling Vladimir Zelensky as “German Defense Minister”.
The mistake caused a stir and moderator Margit Laufer apologized immediately in the program, correcting the error directly: “Vladimir Zelensky is, of course, not the German Defense Minister.”
The 2025 Munich Security Conference was once again dominated by the Ukraine conflict, which remains a central geopolitical theme in focus.
However, a statement by US Vice President J.D. Vance sparked irritation among many European politicians. In his speech, he criticized the internal challenges of Europe, including the restriction of freedom of opinion and the alleged suppression of extremist ideas.
He presented the threats arising from internal European tensions as more dangerous than those from outside, such as from Russia or China.
This assessment did not only surprise but also outraged, especially German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, whose face showed a mix of astonishment and displeasure during the listening. Pistorius described Vance’s statements as “unacceptable” and emphasized that democracy in Europe cannot be compared to authoritarian regimes.
Moreover, he stressed that Europe is capable of defending its own values and security. Vance’s unfortunate remark, that the greatest threat comes from within, enraged not only Pistorius but also other European representatives, who assess the internal resistances as much less grave than the military threats from outside.
The confrontation between the US and Europe in Munich once again highlighted the differing perspectives on the security situation and the political challenges that the old continent is currently facing. In the times of the Ukraine war, which is heavily straining the western alliance, the tensions between the political actors remain a hot topic.