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European Union international coverage chief Kaja Kallas speaks throughout the Munich Safety Convention in Munich, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.
Michael Probst/AP
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Michael Probst/AP
MUNICH — A prime European Union official on Sunday rejected the notion that Europe faces “civilizational erasure,” pushing again at criticism of the continent by the Trump administration.
EU international coverage chief Kaja Kallas addressed the Munich Safety Convention a day after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supplied a considerably reassuring message to European allies. He struck a much less aggressive tone than Vice President JD Vance did in lecturing them on the identical gathering final yr however maintained a agency tone on Washington’s intent to reshape the trans-Atlantic alliance and push its coverage priorities.
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 true and extra stark prospect of civilizational erasure.” It urged that Europe is being enfeebled by its immigration insurance policies, declining start charges, “censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition” and a “lack of nationwide identities and self-confidence.”
“Opposite to what some might say, woke, decadent Europe isn’t dealing with civilizational erasure,” Kallas advised the convention. “In truth, 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 EU.
Kallas rejected what she referred to as “European-bashing.”
“We’re, you recognize, 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’s totally laborious for me to consider these accusations.”
In his convention speech, Rubio stated that an finish to the trans-Atlantic period “is neither our aim nor our want,” including that “our house 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 akin 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 that Europe should defend “the colourful, free and various societies that we signify, displaying that individuals who look totally different to one another can stay peacefully collectively, that this is not towards the tenor of our occasions.”
“Reasonably, it’s what makes us sturdy,” he stated.
Kallas stated Rubio’s speech despatched an necessary message that America and Europe are and can stay intertwined.
“It is usually clear that we do not see eye to eye on all the problems and this may stay the case as properly, however I believe we will work from there,” she stated.
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