In Munich, Rubio urges transatlantic unity but lashes Europe on migration
Al Jazeera
February 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a speech at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) calling for transatlantic unity while criticizing Europe’s migration policies. Unlike Vice President JD Vance’s confrontational remarks last year, Rubio adopted a more conciliatory tone, emphasizing that the US values Europe’s strength and stability. He reiterated the US commitment to global leadership but stressed the preference for collaboration with European allies. However, Rubio also warned against the destabilizing effects of mass migration, a stance aligning with other US officials. Despite his softer approach, transatlantic tensions persist over issues like Trump’s interest in Greenland and differing views on NATO roles.
European leaders are leveraging the MSC to assert their role in defense and security, countering Russia and supporting Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized Europe’s growing autonomy while reaffirming ties with the US. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged the strain caused by cultural divides but called for repairing transatlantic trust. These discussions highlight Europe’s push to reduce dependency on the US and build its own security architecture, reflecting a shift in power dynamics within NATO.
Meanwhile, the conference addressed ongoing tensions over Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with allies, while US officials, including Rubio, sought to broker a peace deal with Russia. However, Rubio expressed skepticism about Russia’s commitment to ending the war, underscoring the complexity of negotiations. These discussions underscored the delicate balance between US leadership and Europe’s growing self-reliance.
The MSC serves as a critical
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/14/2026