Europe bashing: EU's top diplomat rejects US talk of 'civilizational erasure'
France 24
by FRANCE 24February 15, 2026
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EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas rejected US claims of "European bashing" during her speech at the Munich Security Conference, countering assertions that Europe is facing "civilizational erasure." While welcoming the message of unity from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Kallas emphasized that Europe does not view itself as a continent in decline. She acknowledged shared values between the US and Europe but stressed that differences on key issues, such as immigration and defense policies, remain significant.
Kallas addressed concerns raised by US officials during the Trump era, who often invoked "replacement theory" to describe European migration policies as threats to Western civilization. However, she dismissed these fears, highlighting that Europe's top nations dominate global press freedom rankings, while the US has seen a decline in such metrics. Kallas also criticized Russia, describing it as a "broken" nation and urging that its military capabilities be limited through negotiations to prevent gains at the negotiating table.
The diplomat stressed the importance of European agency in defense and security, particularly in light of an aggressive Russia and uncertainties about US reliability under President Trump. She called for increased defense spending, accountability for Russian war crimes, and support for Ukraine. France's Benjamin Haddad echoed these sentiments, urging Europe to focus on rearmament and unity rather than clinging to reassuring words from US officials.
This matters because the debate over Europe's role in global security and its relationship with the US highlights broader tensions between the two continents. Kallas' remarks underscored Europe's growing desire for independence and agency, particularly as it faces challenges from Russia
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/15/2026