The destiny of Europe will never be indifferent to us. But we do not want our allies to be weak," emphasized US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the 62nd Munich safety Conference. The gathering as all year brought together heads of state, government, ministers and representatives of global organisations from over a 100 countries.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the 62nd Munich safety Conference.
It was most likely the most anticipated performance of the 62nd Munich safety Conference. Politicians and commentators inactive had in head the unpardoned criticism that JD Vance, vice president of the United States, would make last year. His speech became a symbol of change in American abroad policy, as confirmed by a safety strategy published a fewer months later.
This year's speaker, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, struck a more conciliation tone. He spoke of deep ties between the US and Europe, a common history, tradition and a strategy of values. – The United States and Europe belong to each other. Your destiny will never be indifferent to us – he declared. He besides assured that the Americans were not going to weaken NATO. On the contrary, they want to revive transatlantic relations. "However, we do not want our allies to be weak," he noted.
According to him, the West has made many mistakes. Today, it must recover from the "climate culture" which has led to deindustrialisation and thus to the elimination of many jobs and the weakening of its own economical potential. It must contain mass migration, guarantee the safety and tightness of its own borders. The U.S., according to his speech, is what they do, and they want the countries of Europe to go that way too. The destiny of allies on both sides of the Atlantic is inseparable. “The U.S. has no interest in being polite and orderly guards of the controlled fall of the West,” Rubio said.
After the speech, the U.S. Secretary answered questions about, among others, the war in Ukraine. The issues related to the end of the conflict, he stated, were narrowed down to "the most hard questions". He besides admitted that he did not know whether Russia was actually serious about ending the war. "The United States will proceed to test it," he announced. Rubio besides referred to American-Chinese relations. “The United States and China are the 2 largest economies in the world. We have a work to communicate. Our interests will frequently not converge, but we have a work to the planet to deal with it," he stressed.
Meanwhile, a lot has happened in Munich yesterday. At least the words of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte were widely commented on. In his conversation with journalists, he outlined a imagination of changes in the Alliance. “NATO will be more guided by Europe, while maintaining the strong position of the United States,” he stressed. He besides called for support for the fighting Ukraine. Especially as the Russian army on the front bleeds out, and its advancement remains minimal. In turn, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, beginning the conference, spoke about the end of the current safety strategy and the dwindling function of the US as a guardian of the global order. “China systematically exploits the dependency of another countries and redefining global order in its favour. U.S. claims to planet leadership were challenged, and possibly even lost," Merz argued. At the same time, the Chancellor called on Europe to make old alliances and build fresh ones – specified as India or Brazil.
During the Munich conference, Poland is represented by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and abroad Minister Radosław Sikorski. The first 1 took part in a gathering of alleged coalitions yesterday. It consists of leaders of countries providing assistance to Ukraine. Tusk besides met with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. He talked to him about strengthening bilateral relations and building safety within the Baltic. On the another hand, the head of the Polish Ministry of abroad Affairs spoke to Marco Rubio in the minutes. "Behind us another good discussion – about the G20, support for Ukraine, transatlantic relations and the Polish model of systemic transformation", Sikorski commented on on the X portal.
Today Polish politicians are waiting to participate in the Ewald von Kleist Award ceremony for 2026. It will be given to the Ukrainian people – "for courage, sacrifice and unbreakable determination to defend their own freedom and freedom of all Europe".
A conference with heads of state, government, ministers and representatives of global organisations from over a 100 countries will end tomorrow.