Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer faced difficulty answering a foreign policy question while attending a national security conference in Munich, Germany, prompting renewed scrutiny as she continues international travel widely viewed as part of positioning ahead of a possible 2028 presidential campaign.

During the event, Whitmer was asked directly: “On Ukraine: What does victory look like?”

Rather than immediately outlining a clear position, Whitmer attempted to redirect the question to another panelist, Matthew Whitaker, the United States ambassador to NATO. Whitaker asked to hear Whitmer’s response.

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Whitmer then replied: “It is, I, the, two, the two (AOC and Whitaker) that I am on the panel with are much more steeped in foreign policy, than is, than a governor is. But, you know, I do think that Ukraine’s independence, keeping their land mass, and having the support of all allies, I think, is the goal, from my vantage point. Go ahead, ambassador, do a better job.”

Whitmer is term-limited as governor and attended the foreign policy conference in Munich despite not holding a federal national security role.

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The exchange quickly circulated online, drawing attention to her response to what many consider a foundational foreign policy question.

The governor traveled more than 4,000 miles from Michigan to attend the conference.

Her participation comes amid increased global travel in 2025.

According to publicly reported figures, Whitmer spent approximately $1 million on international travel in 2025.

Her itinerary has included trips to Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada.

The spending and overseas travel have taken place as Whitmer is widely viewed as preparing for a potential 2028 presidential run.

The Munich appearance placed her on a global stage, but the exchange raised questions about how she handles high-profile foreign policy discussions outside Michigan.

Whitmer has frequently received coverage from Michigan-based media outlets that focus primarily on state-level issues.

At international forums and national conferences, however, questions extend beyond domestic governance to geopolitical strategy and war policy.

The Munich conference appearance was not the only notable moment involving Democratic figures discussing national policy.

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., also addressed policy matters in remarks that drew attention. During a discussion about economic policy, Ocasio-Cortez called for a wealth tax.

“I don’t think that—I—I don’t think that anyone—and we don’t have to wait for any one president to impose a wealth tax. I think it needs to be done expeditiously,” Ocasio-Cortez said.

Her comments came amid broader debates within the Democratic Party about taxation and executive authority.

Ocasio-Cortez argued that such a tax could move forward without waiting for action from a future president.

The juxtaposition of Whitmer’s foreign policy response and Ocasio-Cortez’s tax remarks added to ongoing national conversations about Democratic leadership positioning ahead of the next presidential cycle.

Whitmer has not formally announced a presidential bid.

However, her international travel schedule and participation in global policy events have fueled speculation that she is building foreign policy credentials in advance of 2028.

The Munich exchange now stands as one of the most visible moments of her international appearances this year.

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