First modification: 02/13/2026 - 13:22Last modification: 02/14/2026 - 00:43

World leaders met this Friday, February 13, at the opening of the Munich Security Conference. Relations between the European Union and the US, the war in Ukraine, the situation in Gaza and Iran are the focus of the agenda. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that transatlantic relations are experiencing a "decisive moment", while Emmanuel Macron took aim at Russia and, in an allusion to the American position, said: "Everyone should follow our example, instead of criticizing us."

The essentials:

This minute by minute has been closed. Below, the main news surrounding the Munich Security Conference this Friday, February 13:

Starmer, Macron and Merz urge Europe to "do more" in defense and collective security

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer; the French president, Emmanuel Macron; and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said this Friday during a trilateral meeting in Munich that Europe must "do more" to improve its collective defense and security, as reported by Downing Street in a statement.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starner meet on the rooftop of a hotel hosting the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC), while the famous and iconic Church of Our Lady Liebfrauenkirche is seen in the background in Munich, Germany, on February 13, 2026.

Starmer reaffirms with Merz that "there is no British security without European security"

The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, reiterated this Friday together with the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, that the United Kingdom and Europe depend on each other in terms of security and expressed willingness to work together with the community bloc.

On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, the German chancellor received his British counterpart for a bilateral meeting and, before the start of the meeting, as the press captured the moment, Merz joked: "I hope you don't mind the European flag", in a veiled reference to Brexit.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer attends a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Freidrich Merz at the Security Conference in Munich, Germany, February 13, 2026. Stefan Rousseau/Reuters

"There is no British security without European security. There is no European security without British security. So we have to work together," Starmer reiterated to Merz.

Macron warns against an aggressive Russia, even in case of peace agreement

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke about the war in Ukraine and warned of the threat that Russia will continue to pose to Europe, even in the case of a peace agreement.

"If we reach a deal on Ukraine, we will still have to deal with an aggressive Russia," he declared. "We will have to define rules of coexistence that limit the risk of escalation."

Spain advocates in Munich for a UN call to contribute to peace in Gaza

Spain is willing to participate in the future of Gaza "even with troops," said this Friday in Munich the Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, who urged the UN to issue "a clear mandate" to contribute to an eventual international peace mission in the Palestinian enclave.

Albares highlighted that his Government contributed 50 million euros to the Palestinian National Authority in 2025. "We are willing to help with reconstruction and with genuine peace," he assured, before advocating that Gaza "continues to be the land of the Gazans and that there is no division of the Strip."

Japan promises in Munich that it will "get stronger" in defense

The Minister of Defense of Japan, Shinjiro Koizumi, advocated this Friday for increasing defense spending and strengthening security policy, during his speech at the Munich Security Conference.

"In the East China Sea and the South China Sea there are attempts to change the status quo by force. Tensions are intensifying," he said from the lectern, where he promised that "Japan will become stronger."

The Japanese Government has abandoned its pacifist profile by expressing its desire to increase defense spending by more than 2% of GDP.

"I believe in the power of our audacity and this is the moment for a strong Europe": Macron

Macron refers to the "transparency" that must be applied on digital platforms

"When there is freedom, there is respect and respect is part of freedom of expression": Macron

"It is a clear question of democracy, as democracies we want respect and to be respected," he remarks when referring to transatlantic relations.

"Europe has to become a geopolitical power": Macron

"No peace without Europeans will be possible": Macron

"That is why I have decided to establish a communication channel with Russia (...) We must be part of the discussion," he adds.

"We are preparing a package of 20 sanctions in the EU, focusing on critical services": Macron on Russia

Macron reproaches statements by leaders who ask Ukraine to surrender to Russia

"The answer cannot be to give in to Russia's threats, but to increase them": Macron

"Russia is economically isolated, it is completely dependent on China," adds the French president.

"Ukraine is the first challenge we have and we have met this challenge": Macron

"With assistance totaling millions of euros, making Europe the main donor, we have imposed sanctions on Russia and modified our economic model to distance ourselves from dependence on Russia."

"We are allies of Europe, look what we can achieve in a society of equals and in a space of peace and prosperity": Macron in Munich

Denmark and Canada agree to increase defense cooperation

The governments of Denmark and Canada signed an agreement this Friday to strengthen their defense cooperation, which includes the Danish autonomous territories of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, during a meeting in Munich.

The Danish Ministry of Defense detailed that the pact focuses on operational collaboration, surveillance in areas of common interest, training, maneuvers, innovation and technology.

"We need our friends and we share the Canadian will to strengthen transatlantic ties and solve future tasks together," said Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

Zelensky meets with Iranian opponent Reza Pahlavi

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, reported a meeting held on Friday with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah of Iran and a prominent voice of the opposition, within the framework of the Munich Security Conference.

"We discussed the importance of strengthening sanctions against the Iranian regime and any other dictatorial regime," the Ukrainian president detailed in X, where he added that both condemned the cooperation between Russia and Iran, especially the sale of Iranian Shaheds drones to Moscow.

Report from Munich: Security Conference begins without Trump

France most concerned about security in the EU in the face of growing threats, according to a survey

Eight in ten French people worry about the security of their country and only four in ten believe that the EU can protect them. This makes France one of the countries with the least confidence in Brussels' defense role, according to a survey by the European Commission.

Overall, 68% of Europeans are concerned about threats, with the Netherlands, Denmark, Cyprus and Germany also reporting relatively high levels of concern, according to the Eurobarometer survey.

Ukraine-U.S. reconstruction fund The US has received more than 60 project proposals to date

The Ukrainian-American Reconstruction Investment Fund has already received more than 60 project proposals in its first month of accepting applications, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said through the X platform.

"Our goal is to sign the first three investment agreements before the end of 2026. The Fund will prioritize projects that can leverage additional capital and generate the greatest long-term impact for the Ukrainian economy," he stressed.

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