“I don’t care what happens to Ukraine”: Europe is shocked by the prospects of the vice presidency of Jay D. Vance

A star shone in the political sky of the USA, which caused serious concern to Europeans. It is about Jay Dee Vance, who officially accepted the nomination for the position of vice president of the United States during a speech at the National Convention of the Republican Party.

What is the concern? Political inconsistency, if not the adventurism and extreme populism of the potential vice president. JD Vance is known for his populist rhetoric and conservative views, which can contribute to further political polarization within the US and further spread to the European space, because in some European countries similar tendencies already have certain sprouts. Vance has conflicting views on Russia. Although he has condemned the aggression against Ukraine, his position on reducing military aid is at odds with the views of Europeans who support a strong response to Russia’s actions. In Europe, they are also worried about the possible weakening of transatlantic ties. Vance and other conservatives who support an “America First” policy will help reduce US involvement in international affairs and commitments that are important to European security and the economy. Europeans are also worried about Vance’s possible economic policies, including protectionism and trade restrictions, which could negatively affect the European economy.

The media also cite numerous anti-Ukrainian statements by Vance, irritated by American aid to our country.

From anti-Trumpist to Trump’s partner

What does the British press write?

Magazine Politic quotes a senior EU official as calling Vance a “disaster” for Ukraine.

Edition The Guardian writes a lot and ironically about the candidacy of a potential vice president of the United States. Remembers his political past – the past of a convincing anti-Trumpist. In a 2016 interview, Jay D. Vance called Trump a “terrible candidate” and admitted he never liked him. He has been quite vocal about Trump, including in text messages to a former roommate, asking if Trump is a “cynical idiot like Nixon” or worse, “America’s Hitler”?

Since then, Vance has undergone a dramatic transformation, becoming an influential figure in the Magician movement and a close ally of the former president. He supported Trump’s most authoritarian messages, such as casting doubt on the outcome of the 2020 election. And in an interview on a podcast in 2021, he suggested that Trump purge the federal government of civil servants if he is re-elected.

Vance’s reaction to the attempt on Trump during the rally was also notable. “The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs,” Vance wrote in X. “This rhetoric led directly to the assassination attempt on President Trump.”

“I don’t care what happens to Ukraine”

The British press writes that Vance is one of the main opponents of US aid to Ukraine. For him, defense against China is a much higher priority. And this position brings him closer to the presidential candidate, who is currently his political patron.

In an interview on Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast earlier this year, JD Weiss said: “I really don’t care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other.”

What did Trump buy?

Trump, as written The Guardian, as a potential vice presidential candidate, attracted to him the inclination of white working-class voters in a fairly wide geography – especially in states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Vance successfully identifies with the frustrations and problems of the working class and expresses them very convincingly because of his background in post-industrial Ohio and in the Appalachians.

Vance has also echoed Trump’s message on immigration, calling for the completion of a wall on the southern border with Mexico and opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Does the tandem Trump – Vance mean problems for Europe?

This is the question posed by the French edition Euronews and responds: As James D. Vance went from being one of Mr. Trump’s staunchest critics to running for office, his rhetoric against aid to Ukraine indicates that, unlike former Vice President Mike Pence, Mr. Vance belongs to a more populist strand in American politics. republicans

Much of Europe is panicking because Vance is well known as one of the most isolationist members of the Republican Party. He wants to put the United States first at the expense of other nations. And Ukraine is one of them.

The publication emphasizes Vance’s anti-Ukrainian position, in particular, his reluctance to meet with President Zelenskyi and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba during the Munich conference. “I don’t think I would have learned anything new there,” the publication quotes Vance’s disparaging words.

Why is Vance offended by the German press?

The German media noted the anti-Ukrainian orientation of Vance’s policy and reacted emotionally to the insults Germany suffered in the rhetoric of the senator from Ohio.

German edition Merkur.de calls him the most vocal opponent of supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia, putting Vance at odds with party leaders in Congress and the Republicans’ strong defense wing.

The publication Die Welt is insulting about Vance, who allowed himself many critical remarks about Germany. In particular, last year he criticized the Germans for their participation in the war in Ukraine. Trump’s partner called the Bundeswehr a “hopeless case” and Germany’s energy policy “idiotic.” It also happened to Great Britain, which Vance positioned as an “Islamist country.”

Instead, Orbán appears in the imagination of a potential US vice president as an exemplary leader worthy of imitation in European countries.

In today’s issue The world warns: Europe must be prepared for the worst.

What is worrying from the German point of view are Vance’s plans for the immediate future of Europe. “Our generosity in Ukraine is coming to an end,” he declares. Enough is enough now, time for peace. Trump has long held this position. His statements about ending the war within 24 hours are well known.

Anyone who knows about the dependence of the Ukrainian army on certain weapons systems and ammunition from the USA – warns The world, – knows: in the long term, this would mean the end of today’s Ukraine. She would be forced to a kind of dictated peace. With large territorial losses in the east and south. And probably also with the partial destruction of the Ukrainian army, as the Kremlin already predicted during the 2022 negotiations.

Therefore, Europe is seriously concerned about the political inconsistency, conflicting views, populism and isolationism of Vance, who has gone from a harsh critic of Trump to his ardent supporter and potential vice president. His stance on Russia, criticism of European politics and admiration for leaders such as Viktor Orbán only underscore his isolationist sentiments and show that the European security system needs to be rethought and deterrence to protect the continent reorganized.