U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has assured European leaders that the U.S. does not plan to abandon the transatlantic alliance, stating that the destiny of the U.S. and Europe will always be intertwined. During his speech at the Munich Security Conference, Rubio expressed a desire to rejuvenate the historical ties and mutual values shared between the continents.
Rubio emphasized, We do not seek to separate, but to revitalize an old friendship and renew the greatest civilization in human history. This marks a significant tone shift from recent U.S. statements made during similar conferences, focusing on collaboration rather than criticism.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed reassurance following Rubio’s remarks, acknowledging the importance of a strong Europe in the transatlantic partnership. Rubio reiterated the necessity for European nations to invest more in defense, diverging from prior harsh critiques of European immigration and climate policies.
In his address, Rubio called for a reconstruction of international cooperation and highlighted the failures of organizations like the UN in addressing global conflicts, including the situations in Gaza and Ukraine. He concluded his speech by reinforcing America's commitment to partnership with European allies, stating, We are charting a path for a new century of prosperity, and that we want to do it together with you, our cherished allies and our oldest friends.
