Munich, Germany - February 15, 2025 The 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) has placed U.S.-Europe relations under intense scrutiny, with experts calling it "a turning point" in the transatlantic relationship. With tensions rising over Washington's position on the Ukraine crisis, its comments on European internal matters, and U.S. President Donald Trump's recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, experts said that all these developments have contributed to growing strain in transatlantic relations. Addressing the MSC on Friday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Europe's biggest challenge was not external threats, but internal democratic erosion. He accused Europe of straying from "fundamental values" shared with the United States, voicing concerns over electoral policies, civil rights, and freedom of speech on the continent. Vance's words have drawn wide opposition from European leaders, who see it as external interference in their domestic politics. The Munich Security Conference annual report, titled "Multipolarization," warns the EU faces the possibility of the U.S. "reducing its security commitments, launching trade wars, and emboldening populist movements, which could deepen Europe's internal divisions." The report also expressed concern about U.S. President Donald Trump's perceived lack of commitment to longstanding alliances and the potential destabilization that could result from his policies on the Ukraine conflict. Founded in 1963, the MSC was once dubbed a "transatlantic family meeting," and has since served as a crucial platform for strengthening U.S.-Europe relations. However, the differences between the United States and Europe at this year's event have come to the fore, causing the transatlantic partnership to encounter a "cold front." Shotlist: Munich, Germany - Feb 15, 2025: Munich, Germany - Feb 14, 2025 1. Various of Munich Security Conference (MSC) venue, flags; Munich, Germany - Feb 15, 2025 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wu Shicun, chairman, Huayang Research Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance (starting with shot 1/ending with shot 3): "Vance was lecturing the European countries: Why cannot Europe protect itself? The Ukraine crisis is taking place in Europe, and why should the United States clean up the mess? The United States will not show a good attitude to Europe."; FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Oct 2024 3. Various of Capitol building; 4. White House; FILE: Brussels, Belgium - Date Unknown 5. Various of Berlaymont building, EU flags; Munich, Germany - Feb 14, 2025 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Werner Zuse, founder member, Schiller Institute (ending with shot 7): "It's very important that Ukraine has its own interests. And right now it is used, because it is cheaper to use them against Russia."; Munich, Germany - Feb 14, 2025 7. Various of MSC venue, MSC flags; FILE: Brussels, Belgium - Date Unknown 8. Various of Berlaymont building, EU flags; Munich, Germany - Feb 16, 2025 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Nicole Deitelhoff, director, Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (ending with shot 10): "It's a turning point, I guess, for Europe to become more autonomous with regard to its own security, to be more conscious about its political goals and strategies. So, yes, it is kind of a turning point at least in the transatlantic relationship."; Munich, Germany - Feb 14, 2025 10. Various of guests getting out of MSC venue; Munich, Germany - Feb 16, 2025 11. SOUNDBITE (English) Wang Huiyao, president, Center of China and Globalization (partially overlaid with shot 12): "They've issued this report, 'Multipolarization,' which already shows that Europe, for the first time, I mean a platform like Munich Security Conference, officially recognizes multipolarity is the reality. People are safeguarding their own interests actually in the common good that they have to work together, whether you have a different system or not."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] Munich, Germany - Feb 14, 2025 12. MSC logo; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] Munich, Germany - Feb 14, 2025 13. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaking at MSC; Munich, Germany - Feb 16, 2025 14. SOUNDBITE (English) Nicole Deitelhoff, director, Peace Research Institute Frankfurt: "We are looking for partners who are preferring a rule-based order. But of course, that means that all these parties have to be serious about strengthening a rule-based order."; Munich, Germany - Feb 14, 2025 15. Exterior of MSC venue. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]