Rubio Urges Europe to Bolster Its Own Defense During European Tour

Munich Security Conference Address

According to Главком: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a key address at the Munich Security Conference, urging European nations to take greater responsibility for their own defense. His speech was part of the 62nd Munich Security Conference, held from February 13 to 15, 2023. Following the conference, Rubio's diplomatic tour includes planned visits to Germany, Slovakia, and Hungary. This call for European strategic autonomy reflects ongoing debates about burden-sharing within the NATO alliance.

During his stop in Germany, Rubio emphasized the critical need for European nations to enhance their military capabilities. He stated:

'America is a 'child' of European civilization' - Marco Rubio

and further remarked that 'the United States does not intend to be the 'guardian of the West's decline.'' These comments have fueled discussions on the necessity for greater European self-sufficiency in security matters.

Slovakia and Hungary Itinerary

After Germany, from February 15 to 16, Marco Rubio will visit Bratislava for meetings with members of the Slovak government. The agenda in Bratislava will cover:

• Regional security
• Nuclear energy
• Energy source diversification
• Military modernization in Slovakia
• NATO commitments

These topics are considered vital for strengthening Slovakia's and the wider region's defensive posture.

Rubio will then travel to Budapest to discuss bilateral and regional interests, peaceful processes for resolving global conflicts, and energy partnership between the U.S. and Hungary. These meetings aim to reinforce U.S. ties with Eastern European nations amid contemporary security challenges.

Rubio's Munich speech signals a notable shift in emphasis within U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding European security. By stressing European autonomy, the U.S. seeks to encourage its allies to more actively develop independent defense capabilities, which could reshape strategic alliances in the region. The subsequent visits to Slovakia and Hungary demonstrate a continued U.S. commitment to cooperation on security and energy-key issues in light of global threats. Such engagement is viewed as a step toward bolstering collective security and stability in Eastern Europe.