Why Did the US Vice President Refuse to Meet with Scholz?

US Vice President Jay D. Vance has decided not to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Munich Security Conference because the latter is reportedly expected to "not remain in office for long." This was reported by the American publication Politico, citing a German official.

“It’s a disrespectful attitude towards Germany. I can’t stand Scholz, but he is still our Chancellor. The Trump administration doesn’t care about its allies,” said the German official, who does not belong to Scholz’s party.

According to one Eastern European senior diplomat, who wished to remain anonymous, this situation is “a regrettable failure that only shows that Trump’s team does not take Germany seriously as a major player in Europe.”

The media outlet added that such news could diminish Olaf Scholz's chances in the upcoming snap elections in Germany scheduled for February 23.

The likely successor to Scholz as Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, will have a 20-minute meeting with Vance in Munich. The US Vice President is also set to meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who primarily has a ceremonial role and is not part of the government.

The first part of the meeting will also include Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and the head of the Federal Chancellor’s Office, Wolfgang Schmidt.

As we have reported, Jay D. Vance will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky next week at the Munich Security Conference.