Friedrich Merz takes the Munich stage. And a year after JD Vance’s shocking speech at the Security Conference, which clearly showed what the new Trump era would bring, the German chancellor admitted that the American vice president “was right: a rift has opened between us.”
“The cultural struggle of the Maga movement is not ours”, Macron replies to the German chancellor
Not for the reasons given by the American leader, but because “the cultural struggle of the Maga movement is not ours”, attacked the Berlin leader. While on the one hand it found the support of Emmanuel Macron, according to whom “everyone should take inspiration from us and should stop criticizing us”, on the other it saw the chancellor launch an appeal: “To repair and revive transatlantic trust together”, which remains essential. In this, “Europe is doing its part”. Words awaiting those of Marco Rubio who upon arriving in Bavaria has already made things clear: “We live in a new geopolitical phase, everyone must review their role”.
The world order that no longer exists
“We need to talk, it is more urgent than ever”, said Merz, underlining how “for several years even here in the room there has been a mood marked by tensions and conflicts on the rise in the world”, and then quoting the motto of the conference which is an entire programme: ‘Under destruction”https://gazzettadelsud.it/articoli/mondo/2026/02/14/resa-dei-conti-usa-europa-merz-ormai-ce-una-frattura-a9ba1db2-ef7d-41a7-b6eb-168a45313406/.”I fear that we must say it in even clearer terms: the post-World War II world order, for how imperfect it was even in its best moments no longer exists”, declared Merz in a speech in which he wanted to highlight all the difference that now exists between the United States and Europe.
Freedom, dignity and Constitution
“For us, freedom of speech ends when it turns against human dignity and the Constitution. We do not believe in customs duties and protectionism, but in free trade. And we remain faithful to the climate agreements and the WHO because we are convinced that only together will we be able to solve global challenges”, he listed, in contrast to the Trumpian line. But despite this there is room to start again, is the message from the German Chancellor.
Not even the USA will be able to do without NATO
“For three generations, trust between allies, partners and friends has made NATO the strongest alliance of all time. And in the age of great power rivalry, not even the United States will be powerful enough to act alone.” With this in mind, however, now is the time for Europe to react. “A sovereign Europe is our best response to new times. Uniting and strengthening Europe is our most important task today”, he said, inviting the Old Continent to “focus on increasing our freedom, security and competitiveness” to become a “true global player” with “its own security policy strategy”.
European nuclear deterrence
It is in this direction that the Chancellor revealed that he has already held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron “on European nuclear deterrence”, in a path which – he assures – “will be fully integrated into our nuclear sharing within NATO”. It is precisely in the French president that Merz found a strong hand, at the end of a first day of a purely Euro-Atlantic conference, in which sparks also flew between the US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz – who launched the Maga-style slogan ‘Make the Un great again’ – and the high representative Kaja Kallas. “I am here with a message of courage and determination,” Macron said as he opened his eagerly awaited speech at the Bavarian meeting. “Everyone would like us to be stronger with our defense, apart from our enemies. We want a stronger Europe”, he added before inviting us to avoid “criticizing” or “caricaturing” Europe, also in this case replying to Vance a year later.
Ukraine and the path to the end of the war
The French president then focused on one of the key themes of the conference, addressed in a specific meeting in which Antonio Tajani also participated: Ukraine and the path to the end of the war. “There will be no peace without the Europeans, rest assured”, warned the head of the Elysée, relaunching the invitation to reopen “a transparent communication channel” with the Russians (in truth already started by Paris, albeit at the level of advisors).
Rubio’s reply: “Indissoluble destiny between us”
“When the United States is at odds with Europe it is because they are worried about the fate of the old continent”, a fate “that will always be linked to that of America. We are part of a single civilization, Western civilization. We are connected. We want Europe to be strong. We believe that Europe must survive”.
Standing ovation for Marco Rubio at the end of his speech at the Munich Security Conference. At the end of the speech by the US Secretary of State, the president of the MSC Wolfgang Ischinger asked Rubio if «he heard the sigh of relief in this room as we listened to what I would interpret as a message of reassurance, of partnership. The fact that you talked about interconnected relations between the United States and Europe reminds me of statements made decades ago by your predecessors, when the discussion was about: is America really a European power? Is America a power in Europe? Thank you for offering this message of reassurance about our partnership,” he underlined.
Von der Leyen, “Europe must be more independent, also on digital”
«Europe must become more independent: there is no other choice. Independent in every dimension that affects our security and prosperity. Defense and energy. Economy and commerce. Raw materials and digital technology. Some might say that the word ‘independence’ is at odds with our transatlantic bond. But the opposite is true. An independent Europe is a strong Europe. And a strong Europe makes the transatlantic alliance stronger.” The president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said this while speaking at the security conference in Munich.