Rubio love bombs Europe in style, while issuing stark warnings on substance, and it worked – snap analysis
Jakub Krupa
in Munich
You could hear that sigh of relief across the continent.
That was a very different speech to JD Vance’s last year in style, if not necessarily always substance.
Rubio repeatedly made clear his personal and the US’s admiration of Europe, and framing all concerns – or disagreements and frustrations – in this context. The line of that the US will always be a child of Europe was a particularly nice touch.
It’s a clever figure of speech, which JD Vance also partially tried to do last year (at times), but failed with his much more confrontational, almost accusatory tone.
Rubio chose to do it completely differently – with clever references to shared history, and both European and specifically German links with the US – and clearly succeeded, sweet talking the room into giving him a big applause and a partial standing ovation at the end.
You surely know that famous quote that “a diplomat is a person who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the trip.”
Well, he’s their chief diplomat after all.
But a small cynic in me wonders: are we entirely sure that other – and more senior – people in the US administration, including both the vice-president and the president, necessarily agree with Rubio’s framing?
I’m not entirely sure.
Key events
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Europe needs to ‘recaliberate’ its security strategy to respond to challenges, von der Leyen says
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’10 years from Brexit, our futures are as bound as ever,’ von der Leyen says, as she calls for closer relations with UK
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Europe going through ‘awakening’ in response to changing global landscape, von der Leyen says
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Europe experiences ‘shock therapy’ on security as it wakes up from decades of lull, von der Leyen says
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Von der Leyen calls for ‘more independent’ Europe in response to global crises
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China hopes for settlement of Ukraine war, and Europe should be involved, Wang Yi says
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Rubio love bombs Europe in style, while issuing stark warnings on substance, and it worked – snap analysis
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Talks ‘narrowed’ issues on Ukraine, but hardest questions remain unanswered for now, Rubio says
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End of transatlantic era ‘not our goal nor our wish,’ Rubio says
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US does not want allies to ‘rationalise broken status quo’ but face it and fix it, Rubio says
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US not interested in being ‘caretakers of west’s managed decline’, Rubio says in urgent call to reject ‘decline’
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UN, international bodies need to be urgently reformed as ‘we do not live in perfect world,’ Rubio says
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Rubio takes aim at deindustrialisation, mass migration as risks to Europe
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US ‘little direct and urgent in counsel,’ because ‘we care deeply,’ Rubio says
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Rubio talks about postwar delusion mistakes made ‘together’ by Europe and US
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Postwar triumph led to ‘dangerous delusion’ on end of history, Rubio says
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Starmer’s Munich speech alongside EU’s von der Leyen part of rapidly evolving post-Brexit relations – snap analysis
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Morning opening: What will the US say?
Europe needs to ‘recaliberate’ its security strategy to respond to challenges, von der Leyen says
Von der Leyen says Europe needs a new security strategy to “recalibrate the way we use our entire policy toolbox.”
Remember: before coming to the EU, she was a German defence minister 2013-2019, under Angela Merkel.
She says “we in Europe should be ready and willing to use our strength assertively and proactively to protect our security interests.”
She adds:
“We need a new doctrine for this with a simple goal to ensure that Europe can defend its own territory, economy, democracy and way of life at all times. Because this is ultimately the true meaning of independence.”
’10 years from Brexit, our futures are as bound as ever,’ von der Leyen says, as she calls for closer relations with UK
Von der Leyen turns to talking about EU’s partners, including the UK.
She praises the UK’s work on expedtiionary forces, involvement across the High North adn in the Baltic region, and the Coalition of the Willing.
She says:
“This means, in this actually volatile time, Europe and in particular the UK, should come closer on security, on economy, on defending our democracies.
10 years from Brexit, our futures are as bound as ever, dear Keir, so it is in our common interest to be ambitious about our partnership.
Because the UK and the European Union, in fact, all of Europe, we are in this together, and we will always stick together.”
Europe going through ‘awakening’ in response to changing global landscape, von der Leyen says
Von der Leyen references some recent decisions on EU’s Safe programme to rearm the continent, and on further loan to Ukraine.
“This is a true European awakening, and this is only the start of what we need to do,” she says.
She says the EU needs to bring Europe’s mutual defence clause to life – something that Merz also mentioned yesterday – to figure out what it means in practice.
She also says that the EU needs to move faster, turning increasingly to qualified majority rather than unanimity to get around individual countries seeking to bloc its decision-making, she says.
(Viktor Orbán will not like that.)
Europe experiences ‘shock therapy’ on security as it wakes up from decades of lull, von der Leyen says
Von der Leyen continues by rejecting a suggestion that an independent Europe could somehow weaken the relations with the US.
Referencing Rubio’s speech, she notes that “an independent Europe is a strong Europe, and a strong Europe makes for a stronger transatlantic alliance.”
She says that “over many decades … Europe’s security was not always seen as our primary responsibility,” but insists “this has fundamentally changed.”
“Admittedly, it has taken some shock therapy and some lines have been crossed that cannot be uncrossed any more. But what is needed, at least, we all agree on and we are delivering,” she says.
Von der Leyen calls for ‘more independent’ Europe in response to global crises
Von der Leyen begins by summing up that the world is essentially on fire, pointing to the state of EU-US relations, Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine, and “the very distinct threat of outside forces trying to weaken our union from within.”
She says there is only one way to respond to all of this: by making Europe “more independent … in every dimension that affects our security and prosperity, defence and energy, economy and trade, raw materials and digital tech.”
She gets a round of applause on the word “independent”.
Aaaand we’re going straight into the Europe panel, with the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, up next.
She’s speaking now.
Wang Yi also gets asked about the security situation in Asia Pacific.
He says China remains “an important pillar for peace in Asia,” but accepts there are “challenges.”
He pointedly criticises Japanese prime minister Takaichi for recent comments on Taiwan, saying they directly “violate China’s territorial sovereignty” and were unacceptable to China.
That ends the Q&A.
On China-US relations, Wang Yi says China wants to be guided by “mutual respect, peaceful existence and willing cooperation.”
He says “whether we can achieve that goal ultimately depends on the US,” but he is encouraged that Trump “has shown respect” for Xi and China in recent comments.
He says “some people” are trying to keep China down and “smear it,” but he hopes for a better outcome.
He paints two alternative scenarios: of a “reasonably” aligned cooperation with the two countries expanding their interests, which he says would be “the best outcome for both countries and the world,” or that of aggressing “decoupling from China” in “a purely emotional, kneejerk way.”
He also mentions Taiwan as a contentious issue.
On relations with the EU, he says China and the EU “are partners who are not systemic rivals or strategic competitors.”
He says it’s “a very negative thinking” to see China as a rival of the EU, and it would be “toxic” to see this narrative amplified further.
He even quotes Confucius to say “we can achieve harmony without uniformity.”
China hopes for settlement of Ukraine war, and Europe should be involved, Wang Yi says
In the Q&A, China’s Wang Yi gets asked about Ukraine.
He says China’s view is that “we need to find a political settlement,” but stresses China is not directly involved.
But says it backs the talks, and keeps sending a clear message “that we want to see a cessation of hostilities” as early as possible.
“I think now what is being discussed are the real issues,” he says.
Curiously, he quite strongly says that Europe should be directly involved in the talks and not be sidelined in the process – something that many European leaders will definitely welcome.
Jakub Krupa
in Munich
Fair play to the interpreter: that speech was delivered really fast.
Wang Yi then turns on to specific conflicts around the world, as he says there are about “more than 60” around the world.
On Gaza, he says “the implementation of ceasefire and reconstruction will require unremitting efforts to implement the two state solution and restore justice to the Palestinian people.”
On Iran, he says the situation there “has a direct impact on peace,” and parties “should act with prudcent and avoid creating new conflicts.”
On Ukraine, he welcomes that “the door to dialogue is finally open,” urging parties to “reach a comprehensive, durable and binding peace agreement.”
On Venezuela, he says “the red line of international rule of law must not be crossed.”
He says China will seek to be “a reliable force for stability,” and insists “China and Europe are partners, not rivals.”
“As long as we keep that in mind, we will be able to make the right choices in the face of challenges,” he says.
He urges leaders to “work together to recalibrate the course of history and create a better world.”
And we go into the Q&A.
China’s foreign minister Wang Yi is up now next.
He warns of “growing turbulence” over the last year, as “humanity has come to a new crossroad.”
He talks about the need to reform international organisations, and the UN in particular, but stresses the need for it to still work.
He says it is “not perfect in its current form, but it remains the most univeral and authoritative” organisation of this sort.
He says the main problem is not with the UN itself, but with “certain countries seeking to magnify differences and disagreements” and “stoking block confrontation and even revive the cold war mentality.”
He doesn’t name them.
He says it’s obvious that countries are different, but “there is no reason why countries cannot respect each other and contribute to each other’s success.”
He says “multilateralism should be always upheld,” as “power monopolisation by a few countries is simply unpopular.”
“We live in a multipolar world, and need to practice true multilateralism,” he says.
Rubio love bombs Europe in style, while issuing stark warnings on substance, and it worked – snap analysis
Jakub Krupa
in Munich
You could hear that sigh of relief across the continent.
That was a very different speech to JD Vance’s last year in style, if not necessarily always substance.
Rubio repeatedly made clear his personal and the US’s admiration of Europe, and framing all concerns – or disagreements and frustrations – in this context. The line of that the US will always be a child of Europe was a particularly nice touch.
It’s a clever figure of speech, which JD Vance also partially tried to do last year (at times), but failed with his much more confrontational, almost accusatory tone.
Rubio chose to do it completely differently – with clever references to shared history, and both European and specifically German links with the US – and clearly succeeded, sweet talking the room into giving him a big applause and a partial standing ovation at the end.
You surely know that famous quote that “a diplomat is a person who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the trip.”
Well, he’s their chief diplomat after all.
But a small cynic in me wonders: are we entirely sure that other – and more senior – people in the US administration, including both the vice-president and the president, necessarily agree with Rubio’s framing?
I’m not entirely sure.
Rubio also gets asked about China – he will be followed by the Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi – and the US view of China.
He says “our national interests will often not align,” but stresses the need to keep channels open and talk about how to figure it out.
“We owe it to the world to try to manage those as best we can, obviously avoiding conflict, both economic and worse,” he says.
He says “there are long-term challenges” and “irritants” in the west’s relationship with China, but “we need to try to manage those the best we can.”
And that’s it.
Talks ‘narrowed’ issues on Ukraine, but hardest questions remain unanswered for now, Rubio says
The Q&A being with a question on Ukraine.
Rubio says the issues that need to be resolved have been “narrowed,” but “to the hardest questions to answer” and that remains tricky.
He declines the moderator’s suggestion that the Russians are not interested in negotiations, saying “we don’t know” that.
“They say they are, and under what terms they were willing to do it, and whether we can find terms that are acceptable to Ukraine upon that Russia will always agree to, but we’re going to continue to test it,” he says.
He says that in the meantime the US and Europe continue to take steps to pressure Russia into negotiations.
He says the US has managed to “make progress” in talks, and further discussions are set to take place on Tuesday.
“I don’t think anybody in this room would be against a negotiated settlement to this war, so long as the conditions are just and sustainable, and that’s what we aim to achieve, and we’re going to continue to try to achieve it is even as all these other things continue to happen on the sanctions front and so forth.”
Jakub Krupa
in Munich
Rubio gets big applause and a standing ovation from a large part of the audience.
What a contrast with JD Vance’s speech last year – even as he delivered some similar lines of criticism on deindustrialisation, green policies or massmigration, but phrased in a much more caring way, stressing what unites the US and Europe – and not what divides them.
End of transatlantic era ‘not our goal nor our wish,’ Rubio says
In another attempt to win over the European audience, Rubio says “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.”
He then lists close connections between Europe and the US, drawing on shared history – with the US story beginning with an Italian explorer, first colonies built by English settlers, and shaped by Scots and Irish, and German farmers, who he jokes “dramatically upgraded the quality of American beer.”
He also draws on his personal story, saying that he is “reminded … that both our histories and our fates will always be linked together.”
He also references Nato troops, saying “we have bled and died side by side.”
He says the US is “charting the path for a new century of prosperity,” but wants to do it with Europe.
And we go into the Q&A.
