Rubio sends a softer message to Europe
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Rubio's words reassure Europe
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The US needs to see a reformed Europe, Rubio told decades-long allies – not just details of defense budgets, but a sea change in the continent’s value system.
A fter World War II, peace-loving Sweden began working on a nuclear bomb to stave off a feared Soviet invasion. But in the 1960s, the Scandinavian nation scrapped the program under pressure from the United States, whose nuclear arsenal has shielded Europe for about 80 years.
The secretary of state was much less caustic in Munich than Vice President JD Vance was a year ago. But European officials said his core message was much the same.
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Germany's leader calls on the U.S. and Europe to 'repair and revive transatlantic trust together'
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz argues that being part of NATO is also to America's advantage.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading a large U.S. delegation to the Munich Security Conference this week.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to paper over cracks in the relationship between the U.S. and Europe in a speech at the Munich Security Conference, though foreign diplomats were less convinced t
America sought a “reinvigorated alliance”, he argued, rather than abandonment of Europe. Russia was not winning the war in Ukraine, he added later, contradicting the line of Mr Vance and other Ukraine-sceptical voices in the administration.
"International order based on rights and rules is currently being destroyed," said the German Chancellor.
The head of Europe’s biggest security forum said regional powers were “totally on the sidelines” of major discussions — but that it was their “own fault.”