VP Vance Visits Dachau Memorial Ahead of Ukraine Talks in Munich
US Vice President JD Vance is visiting the Dachau concentration camp memorial on Thursday, a poignant stop before engaging in critical talks with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict at the Munich Security Conference, The Associated Press reports.
The visit to Dachau, a powerful symbol of World War II atrocities, serves as a moment of reflection on the devastating consequences of war.
Vance, accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is scheduled to meet with Zelensky on Friday. Discussions are expected to focus on President Donald Trump’s initiative to encourage negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to de-escalate what has become Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. Trump recently engaged in separate conversations with President Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following these calls, Trump expressed his belief that it was time to “start negotiations immediately” to bring the conflict to a peaceful resolution.
Vance’s visit to Dachau provides an opportunity to contemplate the human cost of conflict. Dachau, established in 1933, held over 200,000 people from across Europe, with more than 40,000 prisoners perishing under horrific conditions. U.S. soldiers liberated the camp on April 29, 1945. Vance is currently on a five-day visit to France and Germany, his first overseas trip as Vice President, accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance for the Dachau visit.
In addition to his meeting with Zelensky, Vance is slated to deliver an address at the Munich Security Conference on Friday. The war in Europe and NATO members’ defense spending are anticipated to be key topics of discussion among world leaders in attendance.
Vance, consistent with the Trump administration’s position, has been a vocal advocate for equitable burden-sharing among allies regarding defense spending.
“The Trump administration has been clear that we care a lot about Europe,” Vance said during a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this week. “But we also want to make sure that we’re engaged in a security partnership that’s both good for Europe and the United States.”
The Trump administration has expressed a desire to facilitate a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and recognizes the importance of fostering dialogue between all parties involved. The administration’s engagement underscores its commitment to seeking a peaceful path forward in the region.
Over the nearly three years of the conflict, the 50 countries in the Ukraine Contact Group have collectively provided Ukraine with over $126 billion in weapons and military assistance, including more than $66.5 billion from the US, which has chaired the group since its inception.
