US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged European leaders to strengthen ties with the United States, emphasizing that the two continents “belong together.” Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Rubio presented a vision for renewed cooperation aligned with President Donald Trump’s approach to global affairs, stressing that the US prefers to work with Europe rather than alone.

Rubio highlighted shared history and mutual interests, describing the US as “a child of Europe” and warning against a Europe weakened by “guilt or shame.” He said America does not seek to manage Europe’s decline but aims to revitalize the transatlantic relationship while addressing common security and geopolitical challenges.

He also called for reforms in global institutions, saying that crises like those in Gaza and Ukraine required decisive action rather than reliance solely on multilateral organizations. Rubio framed national sovereignty and border control as essential for stability, rejecting the idea that these measures are rooted in hatred.

Concluding his speech, Rubio invited European nations to align with the US strategy, stressing that cooperation on these terms is crucial for renewing what he described as “the greatest civilisation in human history.” He urged leaders to join the United States in shaping a shared, stable global order.