E.U. Excessive Consultant and Vice-President for Overseas Affairs and Safety Coverage Kaja Kallas speaks over the past day of the Munich Safety Convention (MSC) in Munich, on February 15, 2026.
| Picture Credit score: Reuters
A high European Union official on Sunday (February 15, 2026) rejected the notion that Europe faces “civilisational erasure,” pushing again at criticism of the continent by the Trump administration.
E.U. international coverage chief Kaja Kallas addressed the Munich Safety Convention a day after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided a considerably reassuring message to European allies.
Mr. Rubio struck a much less aggressive tone than Vice President J.D. Vance did in lecturing them on the similar gathering final yr however maintained a agency tone on Washington’s intent to reshape the trans-Atlantic alliance and push its coverage priorities.
Ms. Kallas alluded to criticism within the U.S. nationwide safety technique launched in December, which asserted that financial stagnation in Europe “is eclipsed by the actual and extra stark prospect of civilisational erasure.” It recommended that Europe is being enfeebled by its immigration insurance policies, declining beginning charges, “censorship of free speech and suppression of political Opposition” and a “lack of nationwide identities and self-confidence.”
“Opposite to what some could say, woke, decadent Europe is just not going through civilisational erasure,” Ms. Kallas advised the convention. “In actual fact, individuals nonetheless need to be part of our membership and never simply fellow Europeans,” she added, saying she was advised when visiting Canada final yr that many individuals there have an curiosity in becoming a member of the E.U.. Ms. Kallas rejected what she referred to as “European-bashing.”
“We’re, you understand, pushing humanity ahead, attempting to defend human rights and all this, which is definitely bringing additionally prosperity for individuals. In order that’s why it is very arduous for me to imagine these accusations.” In his convention speech, Mr. Rubio stated that an finish to the trans-Atlantic period “is neither our objective nor our want,” including that “our dwelling could also be within the Western hemisphere, however we are going to all the time be a toddler of Europe.”
He made clear that the Trump administration is sticking to its weapons on points corresponding to migration, commerce, and local weather. And European officers who addressed the gathering made clear that they, in flip, will stand by their values, together with their strategy to free speech, local weather change and free commerce.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated Saturday (February 14, 2026) that Europe should defend “the colourful, free and various societies that we characterize, exhibiting that individuals who look completely different to one another can dwell peacefully collectively, that this is not towards the tenor of our occasions.” “Moderately, it’s what makes us robust,” he stated.
Ms. Kallas stated Mr. Rubio’s speech despatched an necessary message that America and Europe are and can stay intertwined. “It’s also clear that we do not see eye to eye on all the problems and it will stay the case as effectively, however I believe we are able to work from there,” she stated.
Revealed – February 15, 2026 10:22 pm IST