For decades, the Munich Security Conference has always been a forum for creating political milestones, where leaders of countries meet with politicians, journalists and civil society organizations to discuss the world's biggest challenges.
In recent years, this event has witnessed many landmark speeches, reshaping the global political landscape. As the aftertaste of this year's conference subsided, a series of prominent questions are being raised.
After European leaders were shocked by the US Vice President's attack on the bloc's values in 2025, many people entered this year's conference with a more urgent mindset.
Before the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron declared: "This must be a moment of awakening. It's time for Europe to wake up".
Mr. Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke to outline a more independent path for European powers, while maintaining alliance with Washington. The two leaders said they had begun discussions on a common European nuclear deterrent mechanism.
This year, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has a softer tone than the controversial statements of Vice President J.D Vance in 2025 at the Munich Security Conference. Mr. Marco Rubio said the US is "deeply attached to Europe" and the future of the two sides is always linked.
Presenting his vision for a new world order under President Donald Trump, Mr. Rubio said that Washington is ready to take unilateral action if necessary, but still prioritizes cooperation with European allies.
The speech took place just one day after a YouGov survey showed the lowest level of sympathy for the US in Europe's 6 largest countries in a decade.
German Chancellor Merz said: "A rift has opened between Europe and the US". He also criticized the "cultural war" of the "Make America Great Again" movement, affirming that Europe values dignity, constitution and free trade instead of protectionism.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandese Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen had a 15-minute meeting with Mr. Rubio on the sidelines of the conference. The meeting was described by Ms. Frederiksen as "constructive".
However, a day later, the Danish Prime Minister said that she still believes that Mr. Trump still wants to own Greenland, although recently the US leader has reduced his statements about the possibility of using force.
People ask us if this is over yet. The answer is no" - she said at a discussion session on Arctic security.
A US-Denmark-Greenland trilateral working group has been established to discuss Washington's security concerns in the Arctic. However, Danish and Greenland leaders said that pressure on the island's people is "unacceptable".
Mr. Rubio did not attend a meeting focused on the topic of Ukraine with European leaders on February 12 and also rarely mentioned the Russia-Ukraine conflict in his speech at the conference. However, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the conference in Germany.
The US is expected to hold a trilateral meeting between Russia - Ukraine and the US this week. In his speech, Mr. Zelensky said that Ukraine is doing everything possible to end the conflict, but emphasized that ensuring security is essentially a prerequisite for any peace agreement.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized that concession proposals usually revolve around Ukraine, and affirmed that Kiev needs security guarantees from the US for at least 20 years to be able to sign a peace agreement with honor. He also called for a clear timeline for Ukraine's accession to the EU.
