Speaking Saturday at the Munich Security Conference, Rubio said the United States does not want division but renewal of the partnership with Europe.
“We want Europe to be strong and to survive,” he said, adding that the blunt rhetoric of President Donald Trump is meant to “energize and revive” relations.
Rubio struck a more conciliatory tone than Vice President JD Vance did a year earlier at the same forum, though he echoed core themes. He said the West is experiencing “civilizational decline by choice,” arguing it stems from what he called a climate “cult,” de-industrialization and mass migration.
“We believe that Europe must survive,” Rubio told the conference. “Ultimately, our destiny is—and will always be—intertwined with yours.”
He accused liberal politicians of making a “conscious choice” to dismantle industrial capacity and outsource critical supply chains. “De-industrialization was not inevitable,” he said. “It was a conscious policy choice […] that stripped our nations of their wealth, their productive capacity, and their independence.”
Rubio also described mass migration as a destabilizing force. “This is not some fringe concern of little consequence. It was and continues to be a crisis,” he said.
His speech, frequently interrupted by applause and ending with a standing ovation, was received with relief by many attendees. Rubio stressed that U.S. criticism of Europe comes from “profound concern,” calling the continent the birthplace of a shared civilization. “We are connected not just economically, not just militarily. We are connected spiritually and […] culturally,” he said, citing figures from Mozart to The Beatles.
European leaders at the conference emphasized the need to build “hard power.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was time to implement the EU’s mutual defense clause, stressing that collective defense “is not optional” under EU treaties and requires faster decision-making by majority vote.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said security is “the currency of our times.” “We must build our hard power […] and be ready to fight if necessary,” he said, also signaling openness to closer cooperation with the EU’s single market in defense industries.
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking a day earlier, pushed back against what he called a “caricatured” portrayal of Europe as weak and overregulated, urging Europeans to be proud of the union they have built. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged differences with Washington but said U.S. culture wars “do not belong in Europe.”
Ukraine also featured prominently. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine’s army is currently the strongest in Europe and warned it would be “unwise” to keep it outside NATO, urging faster arms deliveries as he cautioned of new Russian attacks.
Rubio said it remains unclear whether the Kremlin genuinely wants to end the war, noting Russia cannot achieve its original invasion goals and is losing “7,000 to 8,000 soldiers” weekly. He said positions have narrowed, but talks have reached the most difficult phase, with further meetings expected soon.
The Munich Security Conference continues through Sunday.
(jh)
Source: PAP, Euronews