Diverging Views on Europe’s Role
At this year’s Munich Security Conference, tensions over the West’s direction were on full display. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Europe to step up, warning that the West faces a civilisational decline driven by poor policies on climate and migration. He emphasized that America and Europe share a destiny that is “intertwined” and called for stronger transatlantic cooperation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she felt reassured by Rubio’s words, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas pushed back, arguing that Europe does not need saving and rejecting the notion that the continent is in decline. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used the platform to call for a firm EU accession date for Ukraine, aiming for 2027, and urged Europe to fully engage in security discussions.
Security Challenges and NATO Strains
Zelenskyy criticized Europe’s absence from peace talks with Russia, which are largely U.S.-brokered, calling it a “big mistake” that risks leaving European interests unrepresented. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda echoed the frustration, noting that Moscow may exploit divisions if the West does not act cohesively. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that the post-WWII rules-based order has effectively ended, and Europe must defend its freedom in a world now dominated by unpredictable “big power politics.”
European leaders also debated nuclear deterrence and defence readiness. Emmanuel Macron revealed ongoing strategic dialogue with Germany to align nuclear doctrine, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cautioned against relying on nuclear rearmament, calling it costly and risky.
Greenland and the EU Defence Clause
Tensions over Greenland remained in focus, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen affirming her country’s territorial integrity as a “red line,” even as she explored ways to expand U.S. military cooperation. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called external pressure “unacceptable” but confirmed his commitment to the alliance.
Von der Leyen highlighted the need to activate the EU’s mutual defence clause, Article 42(7), as part of an €800 billion defence initiative, stressing that trust, capability, and faster decision-making are essential for the bloc to respond effectively to threats. She also pushed for stronger partnerships with other allies, particularly the UK, to ensure Europe can meet future security challenges.
