US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken of a defining moment and a new era as he travels to Europe for a major speech to the Munich Security Conference.
Rubio will lead the US delegation at the first major global event since President Donald Trump threatened Danish sovereignty with a pledge to annex Greenland.
French President Emmanuel Macron has insisted Europe must prepare for independence from the US, while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has stressed that transatlantic bonds are as close and important as ever.
The war in Ukraine, tensions with China, and a potential nuclear deal between Iran and the US are also on the agenda as the security conference gets underway.
The world is changing very fast right in front of us, Rubio told reporters, when asked if his message to Europeans would be more conciliatory than a year ago.
At last year's conference, US Vice-President JD Vance attacked Europe for policies on free speech and immigration, triggering a year of unprecedented transatlantic tension.
Some 50 world leaders are set to attend the conference, discussing European defense and the future of the transatlantic relationship at a time when US commitments to NATO have been called into question.
Tensions escalated in recent months as Trump repeatedly emphasized the strategic importance of Greenland, heralding a crucial discussion on NATO’s reliability.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen indicated plans to meet with Rubio to discuss the implications of the recent threats, which have been regarded as an erosion of trust between the US and its European allies.
Ahead of the conference, calls for Washington to reaffirm its commitment to NATO have come from former US officials, highlighting the alliance's role as a force-multiplier for US influence.
As the Munich Security Conference opens, the implications of shifting power dynamics and the future of international cooperation remain key topics for discussion.
