MSC: Germany’s Merz says old world order ‘no longer exists’
The MSC brings together security experts, politicians and military leaders from around the world. This year’s edition comes amid growing fears for trans-Atlantic security under US President Trump. Follow DW for more.
German chancellor sees “rift” with US, urges new trans-Atlantic partnership
Merz says ‘we are not writing NATO off’
Merz: Ukraine war won’t end until Russia is economically ‘exhausted’
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is representing the United States
This year’s MSC comes during turbulent times for the trans-Atlantic relationship between the US and Europe.
MSC: Germany’s Merz says old world order ‘no longer exists’
The MSC brings together security experts, politicians and military leaders from around the world. This year’s edition comes amid growing fears for trans-Atlantic security under US President Trump. Follow DW lsfor more.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz prepares to address the audience during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Friday, February 13, 2026
Merz acknowledged a rift in trans-Atlantic relations over the past
Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
The 2026 Munich Security Conference kicks off with a speech from Friedrich Merz
German chancellor sees “rift” with US, urges new trans-Atlantic partnership
Merz says ‘we are not writing NATO off’
Merz: Ukraine war won’t end until Russia is economically ‘exhausted’
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is representing the United States
This year’s MSC comes during turbulent times for the trans-Atlantic relationship between the US and Europe
Read below for the latest headlines, videos and deep dives into the 2026 MSC from Friday, February 13 to Sunday, February 15
Skip next section US diplomat: Many countries ‘welcomed’ US reasserting its leadership
39 minutes ago39 minutes ago
US diplomat: Many countries ‘welcomed’ US reasserting its leadership
Commenting on the US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, US Ambassador to the UN, Michael Waltz, told a panel at the Munich Security Conference that the controversial move actually garnered international praise “behind the scenes.”
“So asserting US leadership has been welcomed and we hear, again and again, behind the scenes, ‘thank you’ from a number of countries,” he said.
The US seizure of Maduro last month is broadly considered to be against international law, with allies such as France saying it was running “counter to the principle of peaceful dispute resolution” and rivals including China and Russia dismissing it as “bullying” and “international banditry.”
Waltz also commented on recent budget cuts to the UN and President Donald Trump’s efforts to establish the Board of Peace, which many observers have portrayed as an attempt to sideline the UN Security Council.
“We needed to put the UN on a diet,” said the US ambassador to the UN.
“Everyone agrees that reform was needed. We are pushing hard for the US to be back to basics, to that peacemaking and peacekeeping function,” rather than attempting to be “everything to every nation,” Waltz said.
Merz urges Europe to use ‘pressure’ to forge ‘something good’
Merz urges Europe to use ‘pressure’ to forge ‘something good’
Friedrich Merz has said Germany and its European allies must not shy away from the reality of the new global order
Merz said European nations must “use the pressure we are facing to create something new, something good” as he firmly rejected “big power politics,” which he said are “not an option for Germany” or Europe.
“Leadership in partnership, yes. Hegemonial fantasies, no,” Merz said.
The chancellor also pointed to what his country has learned from when Nazi Germany occupied much of Europe.
“Never again will we Germans go it alone. This is the enduring lesson we have learned from our history. We assert our freedom with our neighbors — only with our neighbors, our allies and our partners.”
The MSC brings together security experts, politicians and military leaders from around the world. This year’s edition comes amid growing fears for trans-Atlantic security under US President Trump. Follow DW for more.
German chancellor sees “rift” with US, urges new trans-Atlantic partnership
Merz says ‘we are not writing NATO off’
Merz: Ukraine war won’t end until Russia is economically ‘exhausted’
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is representing the United States
This year’s MSC comes during turbulent times for the trans-Atlantic relationship between the US and Europe.
MSC: Germany’s Merz says old world order ‘no longer exists’
Dmytro Hubenko |
The MSC brings together security experts, politicians and military leaders from around the world. This year’s edition comes amid growing fears for trans-Atlantic security under US President Trump. Follow DW lsfor more.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz prepares to address the audience during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Friday, February 13, 2026
Merz acknowledged a rift in trans-Atlantic relations over the past yearImage: Michael Probst/AP Photo/picture alliance
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Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
The 2026 Munich Security Conference kicks off with a speech from Friedrich Merz
German chancellor sees “rift” with US, urges new trans-Atlantic partnership
Merz says ‘we are not writing NATO off’
Merz: Ukraine war won’t end until Russia is economically ‘exhausted’
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is representing the United States
This year’s MSC comes during turbulent times for the trans-Atlantic relationship between the US and Europe
Read below for the latest headlines, videos and deep dives into the 2026 MSC from Friday, February 13 to Sunday, February 15
Skip next section US diplomat: Many countries ‘welcomed’ US reasserting its leadership
39 minutes ago39 minutes ago
US diplomat: Many countries ‘welcomed’ US reasserting its leadership
Commenting on the US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, US Ambassador to the UN, Michael Waltz, told a panel at the Munich Security Conference that the controversial move actually garnered international praise “behind the scenes.”
“So asserting US leadership has been welcomed and we hear, again and again, behind the scenes, ‘thank you’ from a number of countries,” he said.
The US seizure of Maduro last month is broadly considered to be against international law, with allies such as France saying it was running “counter to the principle of peaceful dispute resolution” and rivals including China and Russia dismissing it as “bullying” and “international banditry.”
Waltz also commented on recent budget cuts to the UN and President Donald Trump’s efforts to establish the Board of Peace, which many observers have portrayed as an attempt to sideline the UN Security Council.
“We needed to put the UN on a diet,” said the US ambassador to the UN.
“Everyone agrees that reform was needed. We are pushing hard for the US to be back to basics, to that peacemaking and peacekeeping function,” rather than attempting to be “everything to every nation,” Waltz said.
Skip next section Merz urges Europe to use ‘pressure’ to forge ‘something good’
1 hour ago1 hour ago
Merz urges Europe to use ‘pressure’ to forge ‘something good’
Friedrich Merz has said Germany and its European allies must not shy away from the reality of the new global order
Merz said European nations must “use the pressure we are facing to create something new, something good” as he firmly rejected “big power politics,” which he said are “not an option for Germany” or Europe.
“Leadership in partnership, yes. Hegemonial fantasies, no,” Merz said.
The chancellor also pointed to what his country has learned from when Nazi Germany occupied much of Europe.
“Never again will we Germans go it alone. This is the enduring lesson we have learned from our history. We assert our freedom with our neighbors — only with our neighbors, our allies and our partners.”
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