Brussels 14.02.2026 The United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has addressed European leaders at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in a speech seen as disguised as a conciliatory than in previous years. “In a time of headlines heralding the end of the transatlantic era, let it be known and clear to all that this is neither our goal nor our wish, because for us Americans, our home may be in the Western Hemisphere, but we will always be a child of Europe,” Rubio said.

WATCH: Secretary Rubio Delivers Remarks to the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany. https://t.co/MSnxmlRf2w

— Department of State (@StateDept) February 14, 2026

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Rubio said Washington and Europe “belong together”, adding: “We want Europe to be strong. We believe that Europe must survive.” However he didn’t explain the Trump administration tariffs, and burdens for Ukraine war transferred to the European allies would improve their standing.

He also said the US under Trump wants to lead global “renewal and restoration … and that 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”.

Rubio’s speech was contrasting with the one made by the U.S. Vice President JD Vance last year, who used his appearance at the event to sharply criticise European policies on immigration and free speech, shocking European allies.

🚨 BREAKING: Secretary of State Marco Rubio just made a forceful case in Munich, saying mass migration is not a fringe issue but a serious policy challenge affecting stability across Western nations.

He argued that border enforcement, legal immigration reform, and cooperation… pic.twitter.com/DMy8NWSKZV

— ⁿᵉʷˢ Barron Trump 🇺🇸 (@BarronTNews_) February 14, 2026

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Despite much more reserved tone, Rubio still criticised Europe on migration. He warned of “civilisational erasure” caused by mass migration and said it is “destabilising” the West – a line that has been frequently repeated by U.S. officials, including president Trump.

Other divisions remain between the once upon a time “ironclad” allies. Europeans remain in shock and dismay by Trump’s desire to posess Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO-member Denmark.

European leaders have used the MSC as an opportunity to pledge to shoulder more of the burden of shared NATO defences. Leaders said this is essential for Europe to counter a hostile Russia, with NATO chief Mark Rutte saying “a strong Europe in a strong NATO means that the transatlantic bond will be stronger than ever.”

“This is the right time for a strong Europe,” said French President Emmanuel Macron, who stressed on Friday that the continent was “clear in the support of Ukraine” and “building its own architecture of security”.

“This Europe will be a good ally and partner for the United States of America,” the French leader said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the conference that Europe “must be ready to fight, to do whatever it takes to protect our people, our values and our way of life,” and added that the continent should focus on decreasing “some dependencies” and focus on creating a “more European NATO”.