kallas confronts american criticism at munich summit
München, zondag, 15 februari 2026.
eu foreign policy chief kaja kallas directly responded to us secretary of state marco rubio at the munich security conference. rubio suggested europe faces civilizational erasure due to migration and progressive policies. kallas rejected this as european bashing. she pointed out that millions still seek to join the eu, including over 40 percent of canadians. her rebuttal underscored confidence in european values amid rising transatlantic tensions. kallas stressed russia is no longer a superpower, describing it as broken and isolated. the exchange signals growing divergence in western unity, even as both sides claim to defend democracy. europe is accelerating its own defense planning, wary of shifting american commitments. the debate reveals deeper fractures in how the west views itself and its future.
kallas rebuts rubio on european identity
At the Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2026, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas rejected accusations of ‘civilizational erasure’ leveled by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio [2]. She dismissed such claims as ‘European bashing’ and defended the bloc’s democratic resilience [2]. Kallas emphasized that despite criticism, the EU remains attractive globally, citing that over 40 percent of Canadians expressed interest in EU membership during her 2025 visit [3]. Her comments signal growing frustration with American rhetoric perceived as undermining European unity amid escalating geopolitical challenges [2][3].
transatlantic rift deepens over security vision
While acknowledging shared values, Kallas underscored fundamental disagreements on foreign policy approaches [2]. She warned that Russia’s greatest threat lies not in military strength but in gaining diplomatic advantages unmatched by battlefield success [3]. With Washington urging alignment under a revised world order, Brussels is advancing autonomous defense strategies [3]. European leaders stress self-reliance, particularly in light of US policy shifts under the Trump administration [2]. This divergence reflects broader concerns about long-term American commitment to collective security frameworks [2][4].
ukraine remains central to european strategy
Kallas affirmed that European security begins with supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression [3]. Russia has suffered approximately 1.2 million casualties since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022, gaining minimal territorial advances beyond pre-2014 lines [3]. The EU insists on holding Moscow accountable for war crimes and reparations before any peace agreement [3]. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated calls for a 20-year US security guarantee and a clear timeline for EU accession [4]. These demands highlight Kyiv’s reliance on Western unity, now strained by intra-alliance disagreements [4].
europe accelerates defense and enlargement plans
In response to evolving threats, Kallas confirmed collaboration with President Ursula von der Leyen on a comprehensive European security strategy [3]. The plan addresses hybrid warfare tactics including cyberattacks, disinformation, and critical infrastructure sabotage [3]. Simultaneously, the EU reinforces its eastern flank through expansion, viewing enlargement as a tool to counter Russian influence [3]. Historical comparisons show former Eastern Bloc nations growing more than twice as fast as Russia since 1990 [3]. This economic contrast underscores the appeal of European integration despite external skepticism [3][4].