Overview
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Munich Security Conference that Washington wants a "revitalized" alliance and a "strong" Europe, pairing conciliatory language with calls to "restore" the world order and to reform institutions such as the UN.
- European officials expressed relief at Rubio’s tone but noted continuity with Trump administration priorities, as he reiterated concerns over mass immigration and urged allies to take on greater security burdens.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared the rules‑based order "no longer exists," appealed to repair transatlantic trust, and said he has begun confidential discussions with Emmanuel Macron on how French nuclear deterrence could serve Europe.
- French President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe to become a geopolitical power, to expand its defense "toolbox" including long‑range precision strike, and to prepare rules for post‑war coexistence with Russia while maintaining pressure on Moscow.
- EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen called for a more independent posture, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed deeper industrial cooperation and announced a carrier group deployment to the North Atlantic this year, and G7 foreign ministers gathered in Munich under France’s chairmanship.