Rubio Reconciles US-Europe Ties at Munich, Contrasting Vance's 2025 Attack
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has delivered a reconciliatory address at the Munich Security Conference, insisting the futures of the United States and Europe "will always be intertwined". His speech marked a drastic contrast with the blistering attack launched by Vice President JD Vance against America's European allies in 2025.
A Shift in Transatlantic Tone
Rubio hit out at the mistakes of Western nations over the past four decades but sought to mend ties after recent turmoil in the transatlantic relationship. "We believe that Europe must survive because the two great wars of the last century serve for us as history's constant reminder that, ultimately, our destiny is and will always be intertwined with yours," he told the gathering.
He explained that Donald Trump "demands seriousness and reciprocity from our friends here in Europe" because "we care deeply about your future and ours". European defence and the future of the transatlantic relationship were key agenda items at the conference, occurring as America's commitment to NATO faces questioning.
Criticism of Global Institutions
However, Rubio also delivered sharp criticism of international bodies. He warned that the "rules-based global order" emerging after the Cold War had been a "dangerous delusion". "The euphoria of this triumph led us to a dangerous delusion that we had entered, quote, The End of History," he stated, suggesting it created false assumptions about universal liberal democracy.
He specifically targeted the United Nations, claiming it was among global institutions needing reform. "We cannot ignore that today, on the most pressing matters before us, it has no answers and has played virtually no role," Rubio asserted.
Notable Absence and European Relief
Rubio failed to attend a Ukraine allies meeting at the conference on Friday, as the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion approaches. US officials reportedly blamed scheduling conflicts, but his absence might have been interpreted by Europeans as signalling dwindling White House interest in including them in conflict resolution efforts.
Wolfgang Ischinger, conference chairman who moderated Rubio's question session, noted there had been a "sigh of relief through this hall" during the speech, referencing its stark contrast with Vance's 2025 address.
Starmer's Call for European Independence
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer is expected to urge European powers to increase defence spending and reduce reliance on America in his Saturday speech. The Prime Minister will argue that Europe must relinquish its overdependence on the United States for security.
Starmer will also advocate for the UK moving closer to the European Union, suggesting that turning inward as during the Brexit years would constitute a "surrender" of control in perilous geopolitical times. He is anticipated to criticise both the Green Party and Reform UK, claiming either would harm UK national security if they gained power.
The Prime Minister is mingling with approximately fifty world leaders at the Munich Security Conference, having already met Germany's Friedrich Merz and France's Emmanuel Macron, and joining the Ukraine meeting alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky.
