A giant elephant was on the screen at this year’s Munich Security Conference, a fitting symbol for the very real elephant in the room: the growing rift between the U.S. and the rest of the world, as evidenced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's assertion that prioritising a rules-based order over national interests is a “foolish idea.”
As the weekend progressed, it became clear that power politics has truly returned to Europe. Urgent challenges are afoot, with a changing global order and multilateral cooperation under threat - liberals were determined to make their voice heard.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas defended the existence of a rules-based order and rebutted claims from U.S. panellists that Europe faces civilisational decline:
"The opposite of a world based on rules, is a world with tyranny and wars, and that is clearly where we are now. Contrary to what some may say: woke, decadent Europe is not facing civilisational erasure. In fact, people still want to join our club."
Building on Kallas’s defence, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte argued that NATO is stronger than ever. He stressed that Europe must take a more leading role in the changing world order as the U.S. will remain a partner:
"We need to be ready. Because at the end of this first quarter of the 21st century, conflicts are no longer fought at arms-length. Conflict is at our door. Russia has brought war back to Europe."
First ever liberal side-meeting at MSC
Liberals took these discussions on strategic independence further in a first-ever side meeting hosted by FNF Europe and ALDE Party at this year’s MSC to discuss Europe's role in the new security architecture.
Our liberal Ministers and leaders joined ALDE Party President Svenja Hahn MEP and Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann MEP (FDP, DE) to shape Europe’s response. They highlighted Europe’s defence, support for Ukraine and transatlantic partnerships.
The discussion was wide-ranging and open, with experts weighing in, including Editor of the Atlantic, Anne Applebaum. She commented on Rubio’s opening speech:
“He did not mention the war, or imply that America would help Europe win it. He did not express the belief that Russia can be defeated. He did not refer to the democratic values and the shared belief in freedom that once motivated the NATO alliance.”
Strack-Zimmermann agreed, calling the U.S. policy towards Europe “a poisoned declaration of love," explaining that "despite kind words, there is no real change in content and fundamental differences persist, especially in matters of values and security policy.”
Liberals collectively agreed at this meeting that fragmentation makes Europe weak, leaving a vacuum for autocrats to exploit. Our ministers agreed that Europe must reclaim its agency on the world stage, and supporting Ukraine remains vital in this fight.
European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, spoke about Ukraine:
“With the support of the EU, this will continue to endure. We will stand on Ukraine’s side for as long as it takes, and for as long as is needed for its accession to the EU”
Complimenting this, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, Alexander De Croo emphasised broader liberal ideas on security, going beyond purely military-based tactics:
“The instability of the world is dramatically increasing. We will not stabilise the world only with military intervention, which is only part of security, but with development instead.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned against Russia’s tactic to destroy Ukrainian energy systems and the use of winter as a weapon, with the harsh temperatures causing hardship for Ukranians.
Liberals stood to fight for a future rooted in a rules-based international order, accountability and multilateralism at this year's MSC. Europe believes in the future
Check out our liberals’ reactions on social media below!