Overview
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Munich Security Conference that the United States and Europe "belong together," striking a conciliatory tone while criticizing mass migration and the United Nations.
- Rubio’s remarks contrasted with Vice President JD Vance’s 2025 broadside and drew relief in the hall, though European officials questioned whether Washington’s stance has substantively shifted.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared the old world order "no longer exists," called to repair transatlantic trust, and said he has begun confidential talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on a European nuclear deterrent, framed within NATO and described as developing.
- The State Department confirmed Rubio met Merz to discuss Ukraine, supply chains and the U.S.–Europe partnership, and Nordic leaders said talks with Rubio on the Greenland dispute were constructive as trilateral work continues.
- European leaders pledged stronger defenses and sustained support for Ukraine, while RFE/RL reported Russian and Ukrainian officials scheduled talks in Geneva for Feb. 17–18 as Zelenskyy sought more air defense and Rubio said it is unclear if Moscow is serious about peace.