MSC: EU eyeing new security strategy, says Kaja Kallas

DW News · Feb 15, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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Skip next section Estonian FM Tsahkna at MSC: 'We will bring war to Russia' if Kremlin orders attackFebruary 15, 2026Estonian FM Tsahkna at MSC: 'We will bring war to Russia' if Kremlin orders attackDW's Chief International Editor Richard Walker spoke with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna regarding European defense and security threats from Russia. Walker asked Tsahkna his view on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's speech this weekend, and whether he feels "reassured" as Tsakhna's country is considered one of the most vulnerable countries of NATO. Tsahkna has served as Estonia's foreign minister since April 2023 and had earlier served as minister of defenseImage: Ronka Oberhammer/DW "Actually, the story that Estonia is one of the most vulnerable countries in Europe is a fake news," Tsahkna replied. "We know exactly what to do. We're prepared for a probable Russian invasion and deterrence is really strong." Tsahkna said the idea that Russia would attack Estonia as one of its first targets "is like a classical understanding about the invasion." "And if you see the map that it's very logical," Tsahkna said. "But in real life what we do is that we are increasing heavily our capabilities. I think that NATO is stronger than ever before." Tsahkna said Estonia has developed "new defense plans." "If Russia is coming to our territorties and then fighting back, we will bring the war to Russia to strike capabilities," Tsahkna said. In regards to trans-Atlantic relations, Tsahkna said "we will never see such a US anymore as it was in the past." "But we cannot just be in a defensive position as Europe. We must move forward," Tsahkna said. "We have to have vision and self-confidence. And here in Munich, in different meetings, I see that it is starting to happen." https://p.dw.com/p/58oC7Skip next section Rubio's speech is 'a poisoned love letter to Europe,' says MEPFebruary 15, 2026Rubio's speech is 'a poisoned love letter to Europe,' says MEPStrack-Zimmerman is a strong supporter of more European military support for Ukraine Image: Ronka Oberhammer/DW "A poisoned love letter to Europe" — that's how Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Security and Defense, describes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's speech at the Munich Security Conference. "He was nice, but the message was the same. No talk of Article 5, democracy, shared values, or Ukraine — just 'you do your thing, we do ours,'" Strack-Zimmerman, who previously served in the German Bundestag as member of business-friendly Free Democratic Party (FDP), said. On Ukraine, she warns Europe is absent where it matters most: "We should first fight to sit at the negotiation table, the US is no neutral mediator and we are missing." She also called Rubio's trip to Hungary and Slovakia after Munich a signal toward nationalist forces: a "movement" that "wants to change the world order, without rules, the poison of nationalism that splits Europe." Both Slovakia's PM Robert Fico and Hungarian PM Viktor Orban are nationalist leaders who have expressed sympathies with Russia. Strack-Zimmermann's takeaway: Shed naivety and act from strength — or others will decide Europe’s future. https://p.dw.com/p/58o4oSkip next section Former NATO chief Stoltenberg: Trans-Atlantic ties face 'serious problems' but are 'not over'February 15, 2026Former NATO chief Stoltenberg: Trans-Atlantic ties face 'serious problems' but are 'not over'DW Brussels correspondent Teri Schultz spoke with former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference about the state of trans-Atlantic ties during the second term of US President Donald Trump. Stoltenberg, who is currently Norway's minister of finance, is expected to take over as chairman of next year's MSC event, succeeding Wolfgang Ischinger. "It's obvious, everyone can see that the trans-Atlantic relationship is facing some serious problems, some serious disagreements. And I think we see a fundamental change in that relationship," Stoltenberg said. "But that doesn't mean that it's over."Stoltenberg, a member of the Labor Party, has also earlier served as Norway's prime minister Image: Ronka Oberhammer/DW "I believe strongly in Europe and North America working together because we are safer when we work together. And then we need to address the disagreements on tariffs, on trade, on Greenland. And I think that this Munich Security Conference actually was an invitation to do exactly that," he said. Stoltenberg said this year's MSC is "calmer" than last year's event. During last year's MSC, US Vice President JD Vance chided Europe over issues such as the state of free speech and migration on the continent. This year, US Secretary of State Marco Rubioled the delegation of Trump administration officials to the MSC. 'Calmer' MSC this year due to Rubio's message "Things are calmer because the message from Secretary Rubio was that he wants to have dialogue with Europe. And he also recognized the importance of Europe and other allies, Canada," Stoltenberg said. Amid Trump's push for US acquistion of Greenland, Stoltenberg said compared to "where we were some weeks ago or last year, we are in a much better place because now at least there is a process." The ex-NATO chief noted there is ongoing dialogue between the US, Denmark and Greenland pertaining to the issue. Stoltenberg said it is a "valid point" that the Trump administration is calling for NATO allies to spend more on defense. He said Europeans "are delivering" on this issue. Stoltenberg praised Mark Rutte, his successor as NATO chief. "I have great respect for Mark Rutte," Stoltenberg said. "He has faced enormous challenges, and he has managed them in a good way." https://p.dw.com/p/58nscSkip next section US alliance with Arctic allies 'so important,' says Alaska senatorFebruary 15, 2026US alliance with Arctic allies 'so important,' says Alaska senatorUS Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski acknowledged that President Donald Trump's threat to seize Greenland has "not helped" trans-Atlantic ties, but said alliances with the seven Arctic allies were "so important." "There's been some tension — and that is probably putting it mildly. But we must not lose sight of the true threat ... from Russia," Murkowski, the senator for Alaska, told DW on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. "I'm looking at things right now through the lens of Arctic security. How do we push back against Putin and his ambitions in a way that demonstrates solidarity, strength and capability?" Murkowski said she was confident that Trump's rhetoric over Greenland would now be "dialed down" as both Washington and Brussels "figure out how we come together based on our shared values." She continued: "It's all about how ... how we approach the Arctic with a realism and a pragmatism," adding that the 1951 framework between the US and Denmark needs to be "modernized." The deal, signed under NATO auspices, has long governed US military access to Greenland, including the operation of key facilities such as Thule Air Base. Last month, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Trump administration agreed to the framework of a deal that helped defuse the Greenland dispute. https://p.dw.com/p/58nhvSkip next section ECB's Lagarde says Trump's 'kick in the butt' is uniting EuropeFebruary 15, 2026ECB's Lagarde says Trump's 'kick in the butt' is uniting EuropeLagarde said it was a positive sign that European unity is deepening under pressureImage: Marijan Murat/dpa/picture allianceEuropean Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde said Sunday that "in times of crisis, Europe gets stronger, gets better together." Lagarde was speaking during a panel discussion on the third and final day of the Munich Security Conference (MSC). In addition to the crises stemming from the war in Ukraine and the rising cost of living, she said, US President Donald Trump's "change of attitude towards Europe" — which she described as "a kick in the butt" — does "bring the leaders of Europe, the policymakers, much closer together." "That needs to continue," Lagarde said. Alongside her on the stage, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said he believes Europe will emerge from the current security crisis "much stronger than we used to be." Michal also called for Europe to modernize and develop a "simpler, more digitized environment" with fewer rules that hinder competitiveness, particularly in relation to the US and China. Germany's Minister for Digital Transformation and State Modernization, Karsten Wildberger, said that while Europe has "so much to offer," it is being held back by regulation. "We have overdone it with regulation, we need to really cut down and give the creative forces in our countries much more space — the companies, the entrepreneurs, we have to liberate that. We can't regulate everything," he added. https://p.dw.com/p/58nlSSkip next section US 'deeply appreciates' European defense commitments, says senatorFebruary 15, 2026US 'deeply appreciates' European defense commitments, says senatorSenator Chris Coons (L) told delegates that Trump's foreign policy had undermined US credibility and alliancesImage: Thomas Kienzle/AFP/Getty ImagesThe United States welcomes the increased commitment to defense spending by NATO's European partners in recent months, US Democratic Senator Chris Coons told DW on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. In another sign of easing tensions in trans-Atlantic ties, Coons, who has been critical of the Trump administration's foreign policy direction, said: "We deeply appreciate the investments being made by our NATO partners and allies." "We have more resources dedicated to defense than in decades. Germany, in particular, is really stepping up," the Delaware senator continued, adding that there is strong and sustained support from the US delegation here for NATO and for US-EU ties. Coons acknowledged that trans-Atlant