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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave a speech to European leaders at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) that was seen as more conciliatory than in previous years.
Rubio said Saturday that the United States and Europe are “one body,” adding: “We want Europe to be strong. We believe Europe must survive.”
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He also said that the United States under the Trump administration wants to lead the global “revitalization and recovery” and is prepared to do this alone if necessary, but that is our hope, and that it is our hope to do this together with you, our friends here in Europe.
Mr. Rubio’s speech on Saturday was seen as more conciliatory than that of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance last year, who used his appearance at the event to attack Europe’s policies on immigration and free speech, shocking European allies.
Despite his softer tone, Rubio continued to criticize Europe on immigration. He warned of the “erasure of civilization” caused by mass immigration, which he said was “destabilizing” Western countries. It’s a line that U.S. officials, including the president, have repeated often.
Other divisions remain between the once ironclad allies. European leaders remain hurt by President Trump’s desire to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member Denmark.
European leaders have used the MSC as an opportunity to commit to shouldering more of the burden of NATO common defense. Leaders said this was essential if Europe was to counter a hostile Russia, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said: “A strong Europe in a strong NATO means our transatlantic ties are stronger than ever.”
“This is the right time for a strong Europe,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday, stressing that the continent was “clear about supporting Ukraine” and was “building its own security architecture.”
“This Europe will be a good ally and partner for the United States,” the French leader said.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the conference that Europe “must be ready to fight whatever it takes to protect our people, our values and our way of life,” adding that the continent should focus on reducing “some dependencies” and building a “more European NATO.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged that the culture war had caused a “rift” between Europe and the United States, but appealed to the U.S. government to “work together to repair and restore the transatlantic relationship of trust.”
“In an era of great power competition, even the United States will not be strong enough to go it alone,” said the Conservative leader, who has increased defense spending in the European Union’s top economy.
Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine is about to enter its fifth grueling year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who has been in Munich since Friday and has been meeting with several allies, is scheduled to address Saturday’s talks.
Russian officials have not been invited, but Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has been invited and is expected to give an important speech.
U.S. officials said Mr. Rubio would meet Mr. Zelensky in the meeting. U.S. officials have been trying for months to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, with little success.
On Friday, President Trump urged President Zelenskiy at the White House to “start moving” toward ending the war. “Russia wants a deal…he has to move,” the US leader said.
However, Rubio said in a speech at the MSC that he did not know whether Russia was serious about ending its war with Ukraine.
German government officials said Merz and Rubio met at a meeting on Friday to discuss “the status of negotiations with Ukraine and Russia and further support for the country, especially in terms of military aid.”
The two leaders also discussed Europe’s role in NATO, and “Mr. Rubio praised Germany’s steps to strengthen the alliance,” the source added.
President Macron said a new framework was needed to deal with an “aggressive Russia” once the fighting in Ukraine was over.
At this meeting, the US Secretary of State also touched on issues outside of Europe.
Regarding China, he said the United States has a responsibility to manage its relationship with China, even if the two countries’ national interests do not align. Regarding Iran, he said President Trump’s hope is to reach a deal with Tehran, but that it would be “very difficult.”
