US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to calm European leaders' concerns about deteriorating relations with Washington in his speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, telling attendees at the annual meeting that Europe and the United States "belong together" and that Washington wants to "revitalize" the transatlantic alliance.

First modification: 02/14/2026 - 14:21

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to reassure a nervous Europe on Saturday, saying Washington wanted to "revitalize" the transatlantic alliance so that a strong Europe could help the United States in its global "renewal" mission.

At a security conference in Munich, following months of turmoil in U.S.-European relations sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump's pledges to seize Greenland and his often disparaging comments about Washington's allies, America's top diplomat struck a markedly reassuring tone.

“We are not seeking to separate, but rather to revitalize an old friendship and renew the greatest civilization in the history of humanity,” Rubio said. “What we want is a revitalized alliance.”

"We want Europe to be strong," the official said, adding that the continent and the United States "are destined to be together."

Washington will be "driven by a vision of a future as proud, sovereign and vital as our civilization's past," said the head of US diplomacy.

In that sense, he concluded: "We hope to do it together with you, our friends here in Europe."

He echoed the Trump Administration's oft-repeated claim that immigration was a threat, saying that "mass migration" was "a crisis that is transforming and destabilizing societies across the West."

"We want allies who are proud of their culture and heritage, who understand that we are heirs of the same great and noble civilization and who, together with us, are willing and able to defend it."

"By acting together in this way, we will not only help restore a sensible foreign policy... It will give us back a clear sense of ourselves. It will give us back a place in the world and, in doing so, it will rebuke and deter the forces of civilizational destruction that today threaten both the United States and Europe."

Tone change

Rubio's speech contrasted markedly with one delivered a year ago by US Vice President JD Vance, who used the same stage to criticize European policies on immigration and freedom of expression, surprising European allies.

Read alsoMunich Security Conference without Trump: the definitive break between the US and Europe?

Aside from immigration, Rubio largely avoided the hot-button issues of MAGA and the culture war that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Friday had deepened the "gap" between the United States and Europe.

This transatlantic relationship has been threatened, in particular, by the new US National Security Strategy, which launched an unprecedented attack against Europeans, accusing the continent of being threatened by a "decline of civilization."

Ties deteriorated further in January when Trump escalated his threats to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO member Denmark, forcing European nations to stand firm in their protest.

European security

European leaders meeting at the Munich Security Conference have pledged to take on more of the burden of NATO's shared defences, saying this is essential for Europe to confront a hostile Russia.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, declared on Saturday to those attending the meeting that “Europe must step forward and assume its responsibility” in terms of security, and called for closer ties with the United Kingdom, stating that “ten years after Brexit, our futures are more united than ever.”

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British leader Keir Starmer said: "We must develop our military power, because that is the currency of our time."

"We must be able to deter aggression and, yes, if necessary, we must be prepared to fight," he said, while calling for the creation of "a common industrial base across Europe that can boost our defense production."

Read alsoStarmer, Macron and Merz urge Europe to "do more" in defense and common security

On Friday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that “a strong Europe in a strong NATO means that the transatlantic link will be stronger than ever,” and French President Emmanuel Macron declared that “this is the right time for a strong Europe” that “builds its own security architecture.”

War in Ukraine

The high-level meeting in Munich, involving government leaders, diplomats and defense and intelligence chiefs, comes shortly before Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine enters its fifth year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been in Munich since Friday and has met with several allies, was expected to give a speech at Saturday's meeting. No Russian officials have been invited.

At the White House on Friday, Trump urged him to “get moving” to end the war. “Russia wants to reach an agreement... It has to act,” said the American leader.

However, Rubio noted that “we don't know if the Russians are serious about ending the war.”

Macron said a new framework is needed to confront “an aggressive Russia” once the conflict in Ukraine ends.

And Merz said that “if it makes sense to talk, we are willing to do it,” but accused “Russia of not yet being willing to be serious.”

Rubio is scheduled to travel on Sunday to Slovakia and Hungary, European countries governed by nationalist leaders backed by Trump.

This article was adapted from its original English version.

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