French President Emmanuel Macron has struck a defiant but optimistic tone in Munich, urging critics to 'take their cue' from Europe rather than dismiss it, as world leaders gathered to reset strained transatlantic ties.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, Macron pushed back against what he described as a growing tendency to caricature Europe as weak, divided or repressive.
Instead, he presented the continent as a unique political success story – a collection of sovereign states that have turned centuries of conflict into lasting peace through cooperation.
“Europe is a radically original political construction,” he said, arguing that its blend of sovereignty and integration offers a model worth emulating.
His remarks set the tone for a summit dominated by calls to rebuild trust between Europe and the United States while adapting to a changing geopolitical landscape.
More than 60 leaders gathered in the Bavarian city amid lingering tensions sparked by US President Donald Trump’s sharp criticism of European allies, including threats last month to annex Greenland and complaints about Europe’s defence spending.
Although Washington has since softened its stance on Greenland and entered talks with Denmark, the episode has left unease on both sides of the Atlantic.
How Trump’s trade threats have reshaped Europe’s global strategy
Transatlantic ties under strain
European leaders responded in Munich with a mix of reassurance and resolve. Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for “a new transatlantic partnership”, stressing that cooperation remains vital in an era of intensifying global rivalry. “Even the United States will not be powerful enough to go it alone,” he said, underlining the mutual benefits of NATO.
At the same time, there was a clear push for greater European self-reliance. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to describe Europe as a “sleeping giant” in his speech on Saturday, urging the continent to shoulder more responsibility for its own defence while strengthening – not weakening – ties with Washington.
Macron echoed that balance, insisting that a stronger Europe would ultimately make for a better partner to the United States. “It will be a partner taking its fair share of the burden,” he said, adding that such a Europe would also command greater respect.
Russia’s war against Ukraine – now approaching its fifth year – loomed large over the discussions. European leaders reaffirmed their support for Kyiv and emphasised the need to boost defence spending in response to the threat posed by Moscow.
EU seeks stability after Trump steps back on Greenland and tariffs
Ukraine and the search for security
Macron said France backed Trump’s push for a negotiated end to the conflict, but cautioned that any settlement must come with robust safeguards. Europe, he argued, would need to define clear rules of coexistence with what he called “an aggressive Russia” to prevent future escalation.
Talks on Ukraine continued on the sidelines of the conference, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meeting European leaders including Macron and Merz. Zelensky also used the occasion to press the case for a stronger European defence industry, saying the continent must build greater independence even as it maintains close ties with the United States.
Diplomatic activity extended beyond Europe and the US. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a series of meetings in Munich, including talks with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. According to Beijing, Wang stressed that “dialogue is better than confrontation” and called for more cooperative relations – a notable message amid heightened tensions between the two powers.
Rubio also met Danish and Greenlandic leaders in what Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described as “constructive” discussions following last month’s dispute over the Arctic island’s future.
Despite the challenges, the mood in Munich carried a cautiously upbeat undercurrent. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Europe was “stepping up” and taking on more leadership within the alliance – a shift he suggested would ultimately reinforce the transatlantic bond.
(With newswires)
