Munich Security Conference: German Leader Calls for Transatlantic Trust to Be “Repaired” and “Revived”
Europe must acknowledge a new strategic reality defined by “power politics,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on February 13, 2026, at the opening of the Munich Security Conference. He cited Russia’s war in Ukraine and China’s increasing assertiveness as key factors. The call for renewed transatlantic ties comes as concerns grow over the future of the Western alliance. “In the age of great powers, our freedom is no longer guaranteed, This proves threatened,” Merz said, urging “firmness” and “sacrifices, not in a day, but now.”
In response to the shifting global landscape, Merz advocated for a substantial increase in European military capabilities within the framework of NATO. He stated that Germany would invest “hundreds of billions of euros” in defense over the coming years, reaffirming the commitment by alliance members to dedicate 5% of their GDP to security. He too pledged to make the Bundeswehr “the strongest conventional army in Europe.”
Berlin’s diplomatic, financial, and military support for Ukraine in its “courageous resistance to Russian imperialism” was also reaffirmed, with Merz asserting that the losses inflicted on Moscow are helping to create the conditions for future peace.
Merz also emphasized the require to strengthen European sovereignty, particularly in industrial, technological, and energy sectors, and to build a “strong European pillar” within NATO, without replacing the alliance. He revealed that he had “initiated confidential discussions with the French president regarding European nuclear deterrence.” French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country—along with the United Kingdom—is the only European nation possessing nuclear weapons, is scheduled to deliver a speech in the coming weeks on French nuclear deterrence doctrine.
Acknowledging a growing divide between the two sides of the Atlantic, the Chancellor called for a re-establishment of the transatlantic partnership on a more balanced basis. “Together, we are stronger,” he said, arguing that NATO remains a strategic asset for both Europe and Washington. “Let’s repair and revive transatlantic trust together,” Merz urged in English, addressing Europe’s “American friends.”
Finally, Merz advocated for the development of broad partnerships with countries such as Canada, Japan, India, Brazil, and South Africa, to reduce dependencies and defend an international order based on law and cooperation.
“A sovereign Europe is our best response to this new era,” he concluded, calling for the preservation of freedom and democratic solidarity in the face of ongoing geopolitical upheaval.
