MSC: Rubio strikes softer tone; Europe presses for strategic independence

World leaders, politicians, and security experts are gathering this weekend at the annual Munich Security Conference, traditionally a forum focused on transatlantic cooperation. 

This year’s meeting, however, comes amid unprecedented strain in US-European relations.

European leaders are emphasizing the need to strengthen their own defense capabilities while attempting to preserve ties with an increasingly isolationist United States.

In a highly anticipated speech, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a notably softer tone than Vice President JD Vance did at last year’s conference. Still, Rubio reinforced the Trump administration’s view that the US-European alliance requires a reset.

“President Trump demands seriousness and reciprocity from our friends here in Europe,” Rubio said, adding that the United States remains deeply committed to Europe’s future. “We want Europe to be strong. We believe Europe must survive, because the two great wars of the last century remind us that our destinies are intertwined. The fate of Europe will never be irrelevant to our own.”

European leaders responded with cautious relief. While welcoming Rubio’s reaffirmation of the transatlantic bond, they also acknowledged his insistence that Europe take on greater responsibility for its own defense against regional threats.

Calls for a more independent Europe dominated the conference, a position articulated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“Some may say the word ‘independence’ runs counter to our transatlantic bond, but the opposite is true,” she said. “An independent Europe is a strong Europe, and a strong Europe makes for a stronger transatlantic alliance. Today is the time for action.”

Von der Leyen also stressed the importance of closer cooperation between the European Union and the United Kingdom on security, the economy, and the defense of democracy. Her remarks were echoed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

“As Europe, we must stand on our own two feet,” Starmer said. “That means acting together to build a stronger Europe and a more European NATO, underpinned by deeper links between the UK and the EU.”

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković participated in two panels on Saturday—one focused on strengthening cooperation in the Mediterranean and another on Ukraine. The latter included Czech President Petr Pavel, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs.

Plenković said the only viable way to end the war in Ukraine was through a just and sustainable peace. He stressed that any resolution must include security guarantees for Ukraine and avoid forcing Kyiv to make territorial concessions. He added that Russia’s unchanged stance made prospects for peace difficult.

“I am not optimistic but realistic,” Plenković said. “Whatever pressure has been exerted on Russia, its political course has not changed. That is where all our efforts face a question mark.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the conference on Sunday, calling for “real security guarantees” to be implemented before the war ends. He also criticized the United States for frequently urging Ukraine to make concessions in negotiations with Russia while not placing similar demands on Moscow.