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Europe Pledges Independence From Washington

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European leaders at the Munich Security Conference pledged to reduce reliance on Washington and build an independent European security architecture, while Marco Rubio sought to mollify allies.

The Guardian
Offer to join Trump’s new era is met with growing sense of European steeliness

Talk of a stronger, independent Europe was the dominant mood in Munich amid bitter disagreement on Ukraine If JD Vance’s thuggish speech to last year’s Munich Security Conference, directed at the solar plexus of Europe, marked the moment when a transatlantic breakup started, this weekend’s conference, in a rainy and cold Bavaria, was where the debate about the terms of the divorce settlement got under way. Marco Rubio, the chosen Washington representative this year, is a diplomat, so he softened the Trumpian tone with references to German beer, the Beatles, Dante and the Mayflower. But his speech was a stern warning that if Europe wanted to continue on its path of civilisational decline, as this US administration sees it, America would not be interested and has different hemispheres on which to focus. Continue reading. . .

Offer to join Trump’s new era is met with growing sense of European steeliness
Reposts 20 5h
Financial Times
‘The best we can hope for’: Rubio’s Munich unity appeal fails to woo Europe

US secretary of state sought to mollify but underlying message reinforced US administration’s talking points

‘The best we can hope for’: Rubio’s Munich unity appeal fails to woo Europe
Reposts 117 16h
Süddeutsche Zeitung
Security Conference: Europe's economic giant has had enough of being diminished

In Munich, confident tones were heard. That's good, but it cannot avert an existential threat: the EU must stand its ground in the jungle of great powers.

Security Conference: Europe's economic giant has had enough of being diminished
Reposts 4 8h
Süddeutsche Zeitung
Munich Security Conference: The West He Means

US Secretary of State Rubio spoke in Munich passionately about 'Western civilization.' That moved some people. To clarify: he clearly aligns with Mel Gibson's view of history; it's less about the values of the French Enlightenment.

Munich Security Conference: The West He Means
Reposts 4 8h
Die Zeit
Munich Security Conference: Europe redefines its internal map

At the security conference, Europe shows more distance from the US. An emancipation that others have already achieved - they are hoping for Europe. Observations from Munich.

Munich Security Conference: Europe redefines its internal map
Reposts 3 7h
Die Presse
Security Conference: Austria should be 'no blind spot in Europe'

European leaders at the security conference showed determination to gradually end their dependence on Washington. Chancellor Stocker, traveling from Austria, aims to contribute to a new security architecture despite Austria's neutrality.

Security Conference: Austria should be 'no blind spot in Europe'
Reposts 0 2h
Der Spiegel
Munich Security Conference: A Parade of Defense Contractors

Europe aims to invest billions in its own defense, and around the Munich Security Conference the new and old defense contractors are flocking. But some hopes will not be realized.

Munich Security Conference: A Parade of Defense Contractors
Reposts 4 2h
Der Spiegel
Munich Security Conference: Europe and the Art of Self-Deception

Independence? A new self-confidence toward Washington? In Munich, a single speech by US Secretary of State Rubio is enough for Europeans to believe again in the goodness of the Trump administration. How naive can one be?

Munich Security Conference: Europe and the Art of Self-Deception
Reposts 2 2h
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Munich Security Conference: The Transatlantic Hand

Europe must revitalize its economy and strengthen its defenses. Both are interconnected. And a partnership with the United States remains important.

Munich Security Conference: The Transatlantic Hand
Reposts 0 3h
Süddeutsche Zeitung
Podcast: 'To the Point': Siko: The United States remain unpredictable

On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke at the Munich Security Conference. What does his appearance mean for the transatlantic relationship?

Podcast: 'To the Point': Siko: The United States remain unpredictable
Reposts 1 6h
Süddeutsche Zeitung
Munich Security Conference: "That was a little love bomb"

At first everyone was almost spellbound because Marco Rubio sounded so nice, quite different from J. D. Vance last year at the security conference. But ultimately he delivered the same message: Those who do not follow Trump are out of luck. Munich and the rift that remains.

Munich Security Conference: "That was a little love bomb"
Reposts 3 10h
Project Syndicate
Rubio's Silk-Stocking Diplomacy

The future that the US Secretary of State touted at this year's Munich Security Conference is not a vision of something to be built. It is the past projected forward, sugar-coating its racism with appeals to the shared "Christian faith" and "ancestry" that supposedly define the transatlantic bond.

Rubio's Silk-Stocking Diplomacy
Reposts 1 7h
The Wall Street Journal
While the main focus of the Munich Security Conference was on the alliance, top leaders from Europe wanted to know from U.S. politicians what they thought of the coming midterm elections

While the main focus of the Munich Security Conference was on the alliance, top leaders wanted to know all about November.

While the main focus of the Munich Security Conference was on the alliance, top leaders from Europe wanted to know from U.S. politicians what they thought of the coming midterm elections
Reposts 1 7h
Die Zeit
Munich Security Conference: EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kallas Rejects US Criticism of Europe

Kaja Kallas expressed disbelief at the US criticism of press freedom in Europe. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio apparently directed his speech at American voters.

Munich Security Conference: EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kallas Rejects US Criticism of Europe
Reposts 3 11h
Der Spiegel
An assessment of the Munich Security Conference: The moment that makes Europe look naive

Irritating standing ovations and an allegedly healing near-death experience: The Munich Security Conference shows how badly the transatlantic relationship stands. A reckoning.

An assessment of the Munich Security Conference: The moment that makes Europe look naive
Reposts 1 9h
Aftenposten
Did Americans think they could repair the relationship with Europe?

MUNICH: The US turned on the charm. Can the relationship across the Atlantic be repaired?

Did Americans think they could repair the relationship with Europe?
Reposts 1 10h
Der Standard
USA and Europe vow to cooperate in NATO despite major differences

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio flatters alliance partners at the Munich Security Conference as historically close friends. Europeans rely on their own strength, says Friedrich Merz.

USA and Europe vow to cooperate in NATO despite major differences
Reposts 1 10h
Le Figaro
In Munich, Rubio tries to appease Europe

DECRYPTION - The American secretary of state awkwardly urged Europeans, who fear subordination, to align behind Trump.

In Munich, Rubio tries to appease Europe
Reposts 0 3h
Helsingin Sanomat
HS Munich | Tuppurainen rejects adopting American values as a fateful embrace

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave a speech in Munich, according to MP Tytti Tuppurainen (sd), from which troubling points emerged upon closer inspection.

HS Munich | Tuppurainen rejects adopting American values as a fateful embrace
Reposts 1 4h
Die Zeit
Munich Security Conference: EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kallas Rejects US Criticism of Europe

Kaja Kallas expressed disbelief at the US criticism of press freedom in Europe. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio apparently directed his speech at American voters.

Munich Security Conference: EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kallas Rejects US Criticism of Europe
Reposts 1 11h
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