Rubio calls for transatlantic unity in Munich speech

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Addresses European Leaders at Munich Security Conference

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered an address to European leaders at the Munich Security Conference, which was seen as more conciliatory than previous years. In his remarks, Rubio stated that “we belong together” and expressed a desire for the US and Europe to work together on global issues.

Rubio’s speech was compared to last year’s remarks made by US Vice President JD Vance, who criticized European policies on immigration and free speech. Despite the softer tone, Rubio did express concerns about migration, warning of “civilisational erasure” caused by mass migration and its destabilizing effects on the West.

European leaders continued to emphasize their commitment to strengthening NATO defenses in response to a hostile Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that a strong Europe within a strong NATO is essential for countering Russian aggression. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged a rift between Europe and the US, but appealed to Washington to repair and revive transatlantic trust.

The conference also saw the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was expected to address the meeting on Saturday. A US official confirmed that Rubio will meet with Zelenskyy at the conference. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China has been invited to deliver a key speech, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the US and Russia.

US officials have been working to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, but progress has been limited. Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “get moving” on ending the war, while Rubio expressed skepticism about Russia’s intentions. The conference provided an opportunity for European leaders to pledge their support for Ukraine and reaffirm their commitment to NATO.

The meeting also saw discussions between US officials and European leaders on issues such as military aid and NATO’s role in countering Russian aggression.

Source: Al Jazeera