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MSC Leadership in the Media: Munich Leaders Meeting in Washington, DC
The Munich Leaders Meeting (MLM) in Washington, DC, took place at a significant moment: just over 100 days into President Donald Trump's term, 80 days after JD Vance's speech at MSC 2025, coinciding with the federal chancellor election in Germany, and six weeks ahead of the NATO summit. During the MLM, the MSC leadership offered insights on a range of pressing issues: the future of US-German cooperation, prospects for peace in Ukraine, and what's next for the transatlantic partnership.
United States and Shared Values
Benedikt Franke, Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Munich Security Conference, commented on Vice President's JD Vance speech at this year's Munich Security Conference in an interview with Brian Kilmeade of Fox and Friends: "I was as surprised as many others about this claim that we no longer share the same values. Brian, we do share the same values." Franke underlined that transatlantic relations should focus more on commonalities than on differences.
At the townhall with POLITICO, Franke spoke about the impact of the speech. Regardless of the political assessment, it has helped to consolidate a European response and initiate long overdue processes in Europe.
JD Vance at the Munich Leaders Meeting in Washington, DC
In a conversation with Welt TV, Wolfgang Ischinger shared insights from the discussion with JD Vance at the MLM: "[He] had a decent conversation with me on stage in Washington about the upcoming foreign policy issues."
In an interview with Stern, Ischinger further emphasized: "That was a completely different tone than in February in Munich. It was good that we focused on foreign policy in the conversation."
The New German Government
Current political developments in Germany were also a topic of discussion at the Munich Leaders Meeting in Washington, DC. Speaking to PBS, Wolfgang Ischinger commented on the new government under Chancellor Merz: "When I look at foreign policy, security, and defense, I see a government being formed today that will have a very, very solid background." Ischinger emphasized that this is an opportunity for a fresh start in transatlantic relations.
Defense Spending, NATO, and the Future of Transatlantic Relations
Benedikt Franke spoke in another interview with Brian Kilmeade of Fox News about the need to spend more on defense: "We will do a lot more for our defense, not to please the US President, but because we should have done it long ago. We need to do it. It's the right thing to do."
Wolfgang Ischinger commented on the future of NATO in a conversation with Deutsche Welle: "I think we're sometimes panicking a little too easily as we discuss the transatlantic relationship." Ischinger highlighted that all American soldiers and nuclear weapons are still stationed in Europe and that NATO has even taken in new members like Sweden and Finland. "NATO could not be in better shape," said Ischinger.
At the POLITICO townhall, Benedikt Franke was asked how we can quickly fix transatlantic relations. His answer: "I think it's all about the narrative. If Americans believe it's worth investing in this relationship, we, Europeans, need to make the case for it." Franke compared it to a good relationship that requires daily care and investment.
Wolfgang Ischinger also expressed optimism in the Stern interview: "I have the impression that there is now a willingness to coordinate more with European partners and support European efforts."
What Does the Future Hold for Ukraine?
Wolfgang Ischinger also commented on the situation in Ukraine and a possible ceasefire on CNN: "It's not good enough to have a ceasefire that lasts for six months or nine months. We need something that lasts." Ischinger emphasized the need for long-term commitment from the US and its European allies to secure lasting peace.
