US Secretary of State Marco Rubio moved on Saturday to calm jittery European allies, insisting that Washington wants to ‘revitalise’ the transatlantic partnership so a stronger Europe can work alongside the United States in a broader project of global ‘renewal’.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Rubio adopted a conciliatory tone after months of strain in US-European relations, tensions fuelled by President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to take over Greenland and his frequent disparaging comments about long-standing allies. ALSO READ: As EU rejects Trump’s tariffs, Sánchez says US move on Greenland would make Putin ‘happiest man on Earth’.
‘We do not seek to separate, but to revitalise an old friendship and renew the greatest civilisation in human history,’ Rubio said. ‘What we want is a reinvigorated alliance.’
Emphasising Washington’s desire for a capable partner across the Atlantic, Rubio added: ‘We want Europe to be strong. We believe that Europe must survive,’ saying the continent and the United States ‘belong together’.
The United States, he said, would be ‘driven by a vision of a future as proud, as sovereign, and as vital as our civilisation’s past’.
‘And while we are prepared, if necessary, to do this alone, it is our preference and it is our hope to do this together with you, our friends here in Europe,’ he added.
Rubio’s appearance marked a notable shift from the tone struck at last year’s conference by US Vice President JD Vance, who used the same forum to criticise European approaches to immigration and free speech, unsettling many allies.
While Rubio repeated the Trump administration’s view that immigration is ‘destabilising societies’, he otherwise steered clear of the culture-war themes associated with the MAGA movement, issues that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday had widened a ‘rift’ between Europe and the United States. ALSO READ: Spain to grant legal status to around 500,000 undocumented migrants.
European leaders at the conference, still reeling from Trump’s ambitions regarding Greenland and his sharp rhetoric about NATO partners, have promised to take on a greater share of the alliance’s defence responsibilities. ALSO READ: Spain joins European allies in rejecting Trump’s call for US control of Greenland.
Several leaders stressed that this shift is crucial for confronting a hostile Russia, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte arguing that ‘a strong Europe in a strong NATO means that the transatlantic bond will be stronger than ever’. ALSO READ: NATO leaders agree to increase spending and reiterate ‘ironclad commitment’ to collective defence.
French President Emmanuel Macron told the gathering on Friday that ‘this is the right time for a strong Europe’, one that is ‘clear in the support of Ukraine’ while also ‘building its own architecture of security’.
‘This Europe will be a good ally and partner for the United States of America,’ Macron said.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s newly released National Security Strategy has taken an unusually harsh line on Europe, claiming the continent faces ‘civilisational decline’.
Relations deteriorated further last month when Trump intensified threats to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO member Denmark, prompting European governments to push back firmly.
Addressing the conference on Friday, Merz urged Washington to reset relations, saying: ‘Let’s repair and revive transatlantic trust together.’
The Munich Security Conference, which brings together heads of government, senior diplomats, defence officials and intelligence chiefs, comes as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches its fifth year.
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🔴 LIVE from #MSC2026 | The US in the World with @SecRubio and @ischinger https://t.co/nWpqBeFLtH
— Munich Security Conference (@MunSecConf) February 14, 2026
🇺🇸 @SecRubio explaines his Administrations direct wording towards Europe, #MSC2026. pic.twitter.com/hFgwrk8fQq
— Munich Security Conference (@MunSecConf) February 14, 2026
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