15 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: The emblem of the Munich Safety Convention may be seen on the chairs in the principle corridor. Photograph: Sven Hoppe/dpa (Photograph by Sven Hoppe/image alliance through Getty Photographs)
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Many European policymakers seem to nonetheless be smarting from U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s robust phrases in regards to the area ultimately 12 months’s Munich Safety Convention.
So, it is maybe not too stunning that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s feedback on Saturday at this 12 months’s occasion underscoring the U.S. and Europe’s frequent heritage, targets and challenges have come as one thing of a aid in European capitals.
“[Rubio] delivered a speech which nonetheless assured us that we stand collectively on this partnership between Europe and the US,” German Overseas Minister Johann Wadephul instructed CNBC in an interview on the sidelines of the convention. “In fact, there are some questions which we should focus on, however in the long run of the day, his message was clear that we have been so profitable up to now, and we must always do the job as soon as once more with new threats, with new exams within the twenty first century.”
On Saturday, Rubio stated the U.S. has no intention of abandoning its deep alliance with Europe and desires the area to succeed.
“We wish Europe to be sturdy,” he instructed the gathering of protection and safety officers within the German metropolis. “We consider that Europe should survive, as a result of the 2 nice wars of the final century serve, for us, as historical past’s nice reminder, that in the end, our future is, and can all the time be, intertwined with yours.”
Distinction that to Vance’s message to the identical crowd final 12 months, when he spoke of the “retreat of Europe from a few of its most elementary values, values shared with the US of America.” He lambasted his viewers in regards to the well being of their democracies, their migration insurance policies and freedom of speech.
Whereas Rubio’s tone may need been extra conciliatory than Vance’s, the underlying points remained the identical, as some convention attendees acknowledged.
“In fact, there have been some points he raised. We might reply otherwise on the subject of the migration downside, when it comes, after all, to query how we arrange our authorized framework right here in Europe with regard to the digital companies. And naturally, additionally with the query of freedom of speech and so,” Wadephul stated.
U.S. President Donald Trump has ceaselessly criticized Europe for its open migration insurance policies, for being too reliant on the U.S. for its safety and has pushed NATO allies to spice up protection spending. His pursuit of possession of Greenland, a Danish territory, has additionally rattled European leaders in current months.
“The message we heard (from Rubio) is that America and Europe are intertwined, they’ve been up to now and can be sooner or later,” the EU’s chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, stated at a panel dialogue on Sunday. “I believe that is vital. Additionally it is clear that we do not see eye-to-eye in all the problems and that it will stay the case. However I believe we will work from there.”
‘Europe bashing’
A recurring theme at this 12 months’s occasion has been an earnest investigation into how Europe can stand by itself two toes, militarily and economically, within the face of challenges from Russia and China whereas the U.S. seeks to remodel the worldwide post-war order it created.
Whereas European leaders acknowledge they have to develop into much less depending on the U.S.’s safety umbrella and markets, some bristle on the Trump administration’s extra confrontational method in comparison with its predecessors.
“I believe there have been messages for us, and there have been messages for the general public in America, particularly their constituents,” Kallas stated. “For me, each time I hear this European bashing, it’s totally in style proper now, I am pondering of what’s the various?”
Kaja Kallas, vp of the European Fee, on the Munich Safety Convention in Munich, Germany, on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. Nuclear deterrence is ready to be a sizzling subject on the convention. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg through Getty Photographs
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Others have been much more important of Rubio’s feedback.
“To be frank, I believe the truth that now we have, for Europeans, [been] requested to touch upon the speech by the Individuals, is already a part of the issue,” Benjamin Haddad, France’s Minister Delegate for Europe, stated on the identical panel.
“We should always not both be relieved or shocked by this or that speech. And I believe the worst lesson we might draw from this weekend is to say ‘I can cling to some love phrases I heard in a part of his speech and push the snooze button.'”
He stated Europe ought to “simply give attention to ourselves, give attention to what we will management. Give attention to our rearmaments, on the help for Ukraine, and the menace that Russia poses to all of our democracies. Give attention to competitiveness.”
Wadephul instructed CNBC that work to develop into extra impartial is underway.
“However that is what we’re doing on our personal, and Europe has additionally discovered that, after all, if you happen to ask for extra European sovereignty, you’ll obtain it,” he stated.
“And that additionally implies that, after all, we’re extra impartial than we have been up to now. And naturally, we’re searching for new international companions on the earth that are keen to work along with Europe, as an illustration, Japan, India, Brazil and so forth. So that is, I might say, if you’re trying to a brand new international order, this implies we maintain our alliances, however moreover, now we have new international companions, and this can be a good future for Europe.”
