The speech of US Secretary of State Rubio in Munich has stirred up Europe. What the media is writing

One of the main events of the Munich Security Conference, which took place on February 13-15, was a speech by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He diplomatically called on Europe to cooperate, but criticized it for the same problems pointed out by US President Donald Trump. The European Union received the speech ambiguously and is inclined to further break with the United States. What the world's media write about relations between Washington and Brussels is in the Izvestia digest.

NBC News: Rubio had warmer words for Europe than Trump

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke at the Munich Security Conference in an apparent attempt to smooth over differences in relations between the US and Europe, although foreign diplomats were not sure if real changes would follow. His direct appeal to Europe stands in stark contrast to President Donald Trump's disparaging remarks at Davos last month, when the US leader declared that part of Europe was "being destroyed" and said the US had "gained nothing" from NATO membership.

However, some foreign diplomats in the audience were skeptical that this speech reflected real changes in the Trump administration's position. In his speech, Rubio sharply criticized Europe's migration and climate policies, warning that the "unprecedented" level of mass migration threatens "the cohesion of our societies, the continuity of our culture and the future of our peoples." He also criticized the UN, saying that it "practically did not play any role" in major world events from Gaza to Ukraine, and defended the US interventions in Venezuela and Iran.

Associated Press: Europeans reject US claims of "destruction of civilization"

The head of the European Union's foreign policy department, Kaya Kallas, spoke at the Munich Security Conference the day after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed European allies with a somewhat encouraging message. He took a less aggressive stance than Vice President Jay D. Vance, who addressed them at the same meeting last year, but maintained a firm stance on Washington's intentions to rebuild the transatlantic alliance and advance its political priorities.

Callas rejected what she called an "insult to Europe." She stated that Europe "is not on the verge of civilization disappearing," and noted that during a visit to Canada last year, she was told that many there were interested in joining the EU. While Rubio made it clear that the US administration would stick to its position on issues such as migration, trade and climate, European officials who addressed the gathering said they would remain true to their values, including their approach to freedom of speech, climate change and free trade.

Financial Times: Rubio's call for unity in Munich finds no response in Europe

Rubio reinforced his speech with assurances that the "unbreakable bond" between the United States and Europe has existed since European settlers arrived on the American continent. The crowd of European leaders, ministers, and high-ranking officials jumped to their feet and applauded, but not so much out of admiration as out of relief. Although Rubio's tone was more polite than Vance's, the essence of the U.S. message remained the same.

Immediately after Rubio's speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made it clear that despite the change in rhetoric, relations between the United States and Europe remain extremely tense. According to one senior EU diplomat, Rubio's true message for the continent was his visit to Slovakia on Sunday, followed by a trip to Hungary— the two countries of greatest concern to Brussels. The level of concern is such that even Germany, a country that has always refused Paris' offers to join the French nuclear umbrella and relied on the American atomic shield, is considering changing its position.

Reuters: Europe seeks to depend less on U.S. defense

Transatlantic relations between Europe and the United States have already been strained over the past year due to Trump's return to the White House. But the US president's drive to annex Greenland has dramatically increased doubts in Europe about Washington's commitment to defending the continent within the framework of NATO. Rubio gave only limited assurances to the Europeans in his speech in Munich. He stated that the United States wants to cooperate with Europe, but did not mention the issues on which there was a gap between the United States and its partners in the alliance.

The main question for Europe and its leaders is whether they will be able to back up their words with deeds — to purchase and develop new weapons systems, fill gaps in their arsenals in areas such as long-range missiles, and coordinate their work. So far, the signs are mixed. Some large-scale pan-European projects are struggling to move forward. The future of the Franco-German-Spanish FCAS fighter project has been in doubt for several months now, as the partners have been unable to agree on the distribution of work between the participating companies. Discussions on European Union defense projects were accompanied by arguments about whether their participation should be limited to EU companies or opened to other countries.

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Bloomberg: Trump's new world order pushes Sweden to move closer to the eurozone

After Sweden's abrupt change of position regarding NATO membership, it is beginning to consider another historical shift: the transition to the euro. Although the discussion is at an early stage, as conditions change, there is a subtle but noticeable shift. In 2003, when voters rejected the single European currency in a referendum, the focus was on the krona's ability to act as a buffer for the largest Scandinavian economy, but now geopolitical considerations have taken on new depth.

The argument in favor of the euro is that the single currency will strengthen political ties and provide Swedes with the opportunity to participate in pan-European currency issues. This complements traditional commercial arguments such as expanding trade and facilitating direct investment. If this trend does strengthen, it will boost confidence in the euro at a time when the dollar's dominance in global trade and as a reserve currency is being questioned.