Vice President JD Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference has drawn praise from former Russian President and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev who lauded him for delivering a “bold” critique of Europe. Medvedev’s comments, posted to Telegram on Saturday, suggested that Vance’s rhetoric took European leaders by surprise and aligned with Russian criticisms of Western democracies

Newsweek reached out to the vice president’s office via email on Saturday for comment.

Vance’s remarks in Munich have reignited debates over transatlantic relations, free speech, and the role of the United States in European affairs. His speech was marked by strong language criticizing Europe’s governance, electoral systems, and commitment to free expression. The endorsement from Medvedev, who currently serves as deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia and is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, adds a geopolitical layer to the controversy-raising questions about how Vance’s views will be perceived domestically and abroad.
What to Know: Medvedev responded to Vance’s address with a lengthy Telegram post, claiming that the vice president had “turned on the heat.” “Everyone expected the usual diplomatic courtesies,” he had written. “But instead, he harshly reprimanded the Europeans, who have completely lost themselves in recent years: your democracy is weak, your elections are garbage, and your rules, which violate basic human morality, are rubbish. And you don’t even have freedom of speech!” the Russian official said, characterizing the vice president’s speech.

“He’s actually a bold guy, even if still an inexperienced vice president. Moreover, he told the truth,” Medvedev said.
Medvedev said. During his speech in Germany, Vance sharply criticized European governance, arguing that the continent faced internal problems and that its commitment to democracy and free speech was struggling
The threat I am most concerned about in relation to Europe is not Russia, China, or any other external entity. “And what worries me is the threat from within,” Vance remarked. “The retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values: values shared with the United States of America.” Vance voiced concern about allegations that Romanian officials cancelled an election under pressure from European leaders, citing alleged Russian disinformation
“If your democracy can be destroyed with a few hundred dollars of digital advertising from a foreign country, then it wasn’t very strong to begin with,” Vance said, encouraging European leaders to trust their population rather than limit debate.

The vice president also criticized what he called a “backslide” in individual liberties across the continent, noting European governments’ efforts to suppress speech and regulate religious expression. He cited a recent example in the United Kingdom in which a man was convicted of violating buffer regulations surrounding abortion clinics, which were designed to protect women from anti-abortion protesters, by praying close. “In Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat,” Vance warned. He continued: “you cannot win a democratic mandate by censoring your opponents or putting them in jail.”
He also condemned European authorities for supposedly suppressing opposing political movements. “The organizers of this very conference have banned lawmakers representing populist parties on both the left and the right from participating in these conversations,” according to him. “We don’t have to agree with everything or anything that people say, but when political leaders represent an important constituency, it is incumbent upon us to at least participate in dialogue with them.
What People are Saying In a Munich speech following Vance, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated: “Democracy was just put into doubt by the US vice president–and not only German democracy, but all of Europe’s. If I read him well, he compares the conditions in Europe to those in some totalitarian countries. Ladies and gentlemen, this is unacceptable

Representative Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican, posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday: “JD Vance’s speech in Munich was one of the best speeches in recent memory about the state of our world.” We are really fortunate to now be able to feel proud of our nation’s leaders. I recall cringing for hours after witnessing Joe and Kamala leave for abroad. America is back in business. “The whole world knows!” Representative Gerry Connolly, a Virginia Democrat, wrote on X on Friday: “Vice President Vance stumbled onto the scene at the Munich Security Conference, delivering one of the most embarrassing performances we have ever seen from an American official.” This was a tremendous mistake by the Trump administration.

Dmitry Medvedev wrote in his Telegram post: “Today’s Europe, within the EU’s borders, is a bitter, frail hag attempting to disguise herself as a young and attractive beauty. Such a Europe no longer exists. It is weak, unpleasant, and useless to anybody but itself.” President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday: “I heard his speech, and he talked about free speech. And I believe it is true throughout Europe; it is losing…They are losing their beautiful privilege to freedom of expression. I see it. I mean, I thought he gave a very good, even great, speech.
What Happens Next? Vance’s words represent a departure in tone from prior US administrations, which emphasized diplomatic unity with Europe. His statements reflect those of Trump and other Republicans. Meanwhile, European leaders may seek to address Vance’s worries, either by confirming their democratic principles or by responding what they perceive as unfair criticism.