Competing Visions: Is Europe in Need of Saving?
At this year’s Munich Security Conference, world leaders clashed over the state of the West. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the West faces a civilizational decline caused by poor policies on climate and migration and urged Europe to join the U.S. in defending shared values. He described America as a “child of Europe,” with its future tightly linked to the continent.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she felt reassured by Rubio’s call for cooperation, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas rejected the idea that Europe needs rescuing, dismissing warnings of “civilizational erasure” as overstated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pressed Europe to set a timeline for Ukraine to be “technically ready” to join the EU by 2027.
Ukraine, Peace Talks, and Security Challenges
Zelenskyy also criticized Europe’s limited involvement in U.S.-brokered peace negotiations with Russia, calling it a “big mistake” that risks leaving European interests sidelined. Despite their role as the largest donors of military and financial aid to Ukraine, European nations are still waiting for a clear framework for their security guarantees.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that the post–WWII rules-based order no longer exists, and that Europe must assert its freedom in a world now dominated by “harsh, unpredictable” big-power politics. French President Emmanuel Macron revealed strategic talks with Germany on nuclear deterrence as part of a broader effort to reassess Europe’s security in light of doubts about U.S. commitment. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cautioned that nuclear weapons are an extremely risky way to prevent conflict.
Greenland, Defense, and EU Preparedness
Tensions over Greenland resurfaced after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed continued interest in asserting control, prompting Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to declare the island a “red line” while supporting expanded U.S. military cooperation. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called the external pressure “unacceptable” but affirmed his nation’s commitment to the alliance.
Von der Leyen emphasized the need to revitalize the EU’s mutual defense clause, Article 42(7), arguing that Europe must build trust and capability to ensure the bloc can respond effectively to threats. She also pushed for faster decision-making on defense issues and stronger partnerships with allies like the U.K., highlighting the EU’s €800 billion program to boost military readiness ahead of 2030.
