At this year’s Munich Security Conference, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed European leaders with a speech emphasizing the enduring bond between the United States and Europe. He declared that Europe and America ‘belong together,’ reminding attendees of their intertwined destinies, forged through shared history and two world wars. His words, delivered on Saturday, struck a notably different chord than Vice President JD Vance’s more confrontational address a year prior, which had openly chastised Europeans over issues like far-right politics and free speech.
Rubio’s diplomatic tone earned him applause and even a brief standing ovation, offering a sense of relief to many European officials who had braced for another sharp critique. However, beneath the softer rhetoric, Rubio echoed familiar Trump administration themes. He warned of the threats posed by ‘mass migration’ to European civilization and stressed the need to reform post-World War II institutions like the United Nations. He firmly stated, ‘We in America have no interest in being polite and orderly caretakers of the West’s managed decline.’
Despite the perceived improvement in tone, European leaders largely acknowledged that Rubio’s speech did little to alter their strategic imperative: to rebalance their relationship with the United States and cultivate greater military independence. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer cautioned against ‘the warm bath of complacency,’ asserting, ‘As Europe, we must stand on our own two feet.’ Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Union’s executive arm, while ‘reassured’ by Rubio, reiterated that ‘Europe must become more independent – there is no other choice.’ Critics, like German scholar Constanze Stelzenmuller, noted that some of Rubio’s arguments resonated with concerning far-right ideologies, particularly his language of ‘civilizational decline.’
Beyond Rubio’s address, several other critical issues dominated the conference agenda:
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Ukraine’s Electoral Stance
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine stated emphatically that his country would only hold elections after a cease-fire with Russia, pushing back against American calls for earlier polls. Zelensky, whose presidential term officially ended in May 2024, insisted on strong security guarantees before any peace agreement. He expressed hope that President Trump would hear their needs.
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Greenland’s Sovereignty
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland firmly rejected former President Trump’s past attempts to acquire the massive Arctic island. Greenland’s Premier, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, highlighted the paradox that Greenlanders felt unsafe only when an ally spoke of acquiring them. Both leaders underscored efforts to counter Chinese and Russian influence through the Arctic Sentry initiative, emphasizing a collective NATO responsibility for Arctic security. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) also condemned Trump’s claims as ‘offensive,’ diverting focus from actual threats posed by Russia and China.
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European Nuclear Deterrence
With shifting dynamics, European officials, while acknowledging the U.S. commitment to NATO’s nuclear shield, are exploring backup plans. Germany’s Mr. Merz revealed talks with nuclear power France regarding the establishment of an independent European nuclear deterrent.
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Navalny’s Death
Britain, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands issued a joint statement affirming that Russian opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny was most likely poisoned, refuting Russia’s claims of natural causes. Yulia Navalnaya, his widow, viewed this as validation of President Vladimir V. Putin’s responsibility.
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Iran Regime Protests
Thousands of protesters converged outside the conference and in cities worldwide, demanding regime change in Iran. This followed President Trump’s assertion that a change in Iran’s leadership would be ‘the best thing that could happen.’ Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s deposed shah, appealed for American intervention and urged governments to sever financial ties with the current Iranian government. Despite some rallying behind Pahlavi, analysts note challenges in gauging his popular support within Iran, given historical complexities and differing views among dissenters.
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US Political Figures’ Perspectives
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking on a panel, criticized Trump’s immigration policies and his perceived attempts to force a ‘surrender deal’ in Ukraine, accusing him of modeling himself after Putin. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez presented an alternative foreign policy vision focused on improving the lives of the global working class, contrasting with Rubio’s conservative message. Meanwhile, US Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) aimed to reassure European allies of America’s NATO commitment, emphasizing that concerns over Greenland had been ‘put to bed.’
Rubio engaged in several bilateral meetings throughout the afternoon with various heads of state and ministers, following his morning speech. He noted Russia’s uncertain commitment to ending the war in Ukraine and affirmed continued U.S. pressure through sanctions and arms sales. He also advocated for continued positive conversations with China, balancing superpower diplomacy with national interests, despite his past hardline stance on China as a senator.