15 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: The emblem of the Munich Safety Convention could be seen on the chairs in the primary corridor. Photograph: Sven Hoppe/dpa (Photograph by Sven Hoppe/image alliance by way of Getty Photos)
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Many European policymakers seem to nonetheless be smarting from U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s robust phrases concerning the area finally yr’s Munich Safety Convention.
So, it is maybe not too shocking that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s feedback on Saturday at this yr’s occasion underscoring the U.S. and Europe’s widespread heritage, objectives 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 USA,” German Overseas Minister Johann Wadephul instructed CNBC in an interview on the sidelines of the convention. “In fact, there are some questions which we must talk about, however ultimately of the day, his message was clear that we have been so profitable prior to now, and we must always do the job as soon as once more with new threats, with new assessments within the twenty first century.”
On Saturday, Rubio mentioned the U.S. has no intention of abandoning its deep alliance with Europe and needs 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 at all times be, intertwined with yours.”
Distinction that to Vance’s message to the identical crowd final yr, when he spoke of the “retreat of Europe from a few of its most elementary values, values shared with the USA of America.” He lambasted his viewers concerning the well being of their democracies, their migration insurance policies and freedom of speech.
Whereas Rubio’s tone might 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’d reply in a different way with regards to the migration downside, when it comes, after all, to query how we set up our authorized framework right here in Europe with regard to the digital providers. And naturally, additionally with the query of freedom of speech and so,” Wadephul mentioned.
U.S. President Donald Trump has steadily 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 latest months.
“The message we heard (from Rubio) is that America and Europe are intertwined, they’ve been prior to now and might be sooner or later,” the EU’s chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, mentioned at a panel dialogue on Sunday. “I believe that is vital. It is usually clear that we do not see eye-to-eye in all the problems and that this can stay the case. However I believe we are able to work from there.”
‘Europe bashing’
A recurring theme at this yr’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 transform the worldwide post-war order it created.
Whereas European leaders acknowledge they need to grow to be 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 mentioned. “For me, each time I hear this European bashing, it’s extremely in vogue proper now, I am considering of what’s the different?”
Kaja Kallas, vp of the European Fee, on the Munich Safety Convention in Munich, Germany, on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. Nuclear deterrence is about to be a scorching matter on the convention. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photos
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Others have been much more essential of Rubio’s feedback.
“To be frank, I believe the truth that we now 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, mentioned on the similar panel.
“We should always not both be relieved or shocked by this or that speech. And I believe the worst lesson we may 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 mentioned Europe ought to “simply deal with ourselves, deal with what we are able to 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 grow to be extra impartial is underway.
“However that is what we’re doing on our personal, and Europe has additionally realized that, after all, for those who ask for extra European sovereignty, you’ll obtain it,” he mentioned.
“And that additionally implies that, after all, we’re extra impartial than we have been prior to now. And naturally, we’re searching for new world companions on this planet that are prepared to work along with Europe, as an example, Japan, India, Brazil and so forth. So that is, I might say, in case you are seeking to a brand new world order, this implies we preserve our alliances, however moreover, we now have new world companions, and this can be a good future for Europe.”
