In Munich, Rubio urges transatlantic unity but lashes Europe on migration | Donald Trump News
Rubio Addresses European Leaders, Advocating for Strong Transatlantic Ties
MUNICH — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to European leaders at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, calling for stronger collaboration between the United States and Europe. His address was viewed as notably more conciliatory compared to previous years.
Rubio emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “Washington and Europe belong together. We want Europe to be strong. We believe that Europe must survive.” He expressed a desire for the U.S. to lead global “renewal and restoration,” while also hoping to do so in partnership with European nations.
This year’s address marked a shift from remarks made by Vice President JD Vance at last year’s conference, where he criticized European policies on immigration and free speech, straining relations with allies.
Despite his softer tone, Rubio reiterated concerns regarding migration, warning of “civilizational erasure” due to mass migration and labeling it as “destabilizing” for the West. This theme has been echoed by other U.S. officials, including the president.
Divisions remain between the U.S. and Europe, particularly over past controversies, including former President Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO-member Denmark.
European leaders took the opportunity at the conference to commit to increasing their contributions to NATO’s collective defense, underscoring the necessity of a united front against a perceived threat from Russia. NATO Chief Mark Rutte stated, “A strong Europe in a strong NATO means that the transatlantic bond will be stronger than ever.”
French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the urgency of a robust European defense framework, asserting that Europe is “clear in its support of Ukraine” and is developing its own security architecture. He added, “This Europe will be a good ally and partner for the United States of America.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer planned to emphasize the need for Europe to become less reliant on U.S. defense support, according to his office. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged a “rift” between Europe and the U.S. but called for efforts to “repair and revive transatlantic trust together.”
As Ukraine’s conflict with Russia approaches its fifth year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been meeting with allies in Munich, was expected to address the conference later in the day.
No Russian officials were invited to the conference, but Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was scheduled to deliver a key speech. A U.S. official indicated that Rubio would meet with Zelenskyy during the event. U.S. officials have been engaged in efforts to negotiate peace between Russia and Ukraine, although progress has been limited.
At the White House on Friday, Trump urged Zelenskyy to “get moving” toward ending the war, suggesting that Russia is open to negotiations. However, Rubio expressed uncertainty, stating he did not know if Russia was truly committed to ending its aggression against Ukraine.
A source within the German government revealed that Merz and Rubio met at the conference to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine, including military aid, as well as the broader issues facing NATO.
Macron called for a new strategy to handle “an aggressive Russia” once hostilities conclude in Ukraine. Rubio addressed matters beyond Europe as well, asserting the U.S. responsibility to manage relations with China, even in the face of conflicting national interests. He also noted that while President Trump prefers to negotiate a deal with Iran, achieving such an agreement remains challenging.
