Finance
Rubio tells Munich security forum that US and Europe belong together
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 14, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 14, 2026
Quick Summary
Marco Rubio stresses the importance of US-Europe unity at the Munich Security Conference, urging Europe to correct policy mistakes.
Rubio Affirms Transatlantic Unity at Munich Security Conference
Rubio's Address and Its Reception
By Humeyra Pamuk
Contrast with Previous Addresses
MUNICH, Feb 14 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave a message of unity to Europeans on Saturday, saying Washington does not intend to abandon the transatlantic alliance, but that Europe's leaders had made a number of policy mistakes and need to change course.
Lack of Specifics in the Speech
Rubio's overall message of togetherness at the annual Munich Security Conference was relatively well-received by the gathering of European diplomats and security officials.
Even as Rubio at times needled European policymakers, his address contrasted sharply with Vice President JD Vance's address here a year ago, in which he argued that the greatest danger to the continent came from censorship and democratic backsliding - rather than external threats like Russia.
"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 told the crowd.
The address was notably short on specifics. Rubio did not mention Russia - the continent's main geopolitical foil - during the roughly half-hour address, nor did he even bring up NATO by name, the continent's main security bloc.
(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; writing by Gram Slattery; editing by Sarah Marsh and Mark Heinrich)
Key Takeaways
- •Marco Rubio emphasizes the importance of the transatlantic alliance.
- •Rubio criticizes European policy mistakes but stresses unity.
- •The speech contrasts with JD Vance's previous address.
- •Rubio avoids mentioning Russia or NATO directly.
- •The address was well-received despite lack of specifics.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rubio tells Munich security forum that US and Europe belong together
1What is NATO?
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance formed in 1949, consisting of North American and European countries, aimed at mutual defense and collective security against external threats.
