Rubio warns Europe of new era in geopolitics before big Munich speech

February 13, 2026

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is attending the Munich Security Conference amid significant transatlantic tensions, marking what he describes as a new geopolitical era requiring reassessment of international roles. The gathering occurs against a backdrop of strained US-European relations following President Trump's threats to annex Greenland from NATO ally Denmark and questions about American commitment to the alliance. Approximately 50 world leaders will discuss European defense, the Ukraine conflict, and the transatlantic partnership's future, with French President Macron advocating for European independence from America while NATO's leadership emphasizes continued cooperation.

Who is affected

Denmark and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (threatened over Greenland sovereignty)
European NATO members, particularly the Netherlands and Germany
Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the US delegation
French President Emmanuel Macron
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Approximately 50 world leaders attending the conference
Former US ambassadors to NATO and former American supreme commanders in Europe

What action is being taken

Marco Rubio is traveling to Europe and leading the US delegation at the Munich Security Conference
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is meeting with Rubio to discuss US threats regarding Greenland
The Netherlands and other NATO allies are working to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035
Sir Keir Starmer is holding meetings with Merz and Macron before addressing the summit
Russia, Ukraine, and the US are conducting talks aimed at ending the war (with another round scheduled for February 17-18 in Geneva)

Why it matters

This conference represents a critical moment for the transatlantic relationship as trust between the United States and its European allies has been significantly eroded. The threats against Denmark, a NATO member, combined with questions about American reliability, have prompted European leaders to reconsider their security independence and collective defense capabilities. The outcome of these discussions will shape the future of NATO, Western defense cooperation, and the international order that has existed for generations. With ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and broader geopolitical tensions involving China and Iran, the stability of the US-European alliance has global security implications that extend far beyond the transatlantic partnership itself.

What's next

Another round of Russia-Ukraine-US talks scheduled for February 17-18 in Geneva
Sir Keir Starmer will address the summit on Saturday morning
European nations continue working toward meeting the 2035 target of 5% GDP defense spending
Ongoing discussions at the conference about European defense and the future of the transatlantic relationship

Read full article from source: BBC