Rubio says US, Europe 'belong together,' warns against mass migration at Munich Security Conference

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday warned European leaders that mass migration policies threaten cultural cohesion, arguing that the United States wants allies who are confident in defending their heritage and that they “belong together” as allies.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Rubio emphasized the centuries-old ties between the US and Europe, saying America will remain connected to its trans-Atlantic partners but expects them not to be “shackled by guilt and shame.” He said that the US wants allies who “are proud of their culture and of their heritage, who understand that we are heirs to the same great and noble civilization, and who, together with us, are willing and able to defend it.”

Rubio warned of the consequences of mass migration across Europe, as the continent has taken in a significant number of migrants from third-world nations with different cultural backgrounds.

"In a pursuit of a world without borders, we opened our doors to an unprecedented wave of mass migration that threatens the cohesion of our societies, the continuity of our culture, and the future of our people,” Rubio said. “We made these mistakes together, and now together we owe it to our people to face those facts and to move forward to rebuild. Under President Trump, the United States of America will once again take on the task of renewal and restoration, driven by a vision of a future as proud, as sovereign, and as vital as our civilization’s past. And while we are prepared, if necessary, to do this alone, it is our preference and it is our hope to do this together with you, our friends here in Europe. ”

“For the United States and Europe, we belong together. America was founded 250 years ago, but the roots began here on this continent long before. The man who settled and built the nation of my birth arrived on our shores carrying the memories and the traditions and the Christian faith of their ancestors as a sacred inheritance, an unbreakable link between the old world and the new. We are part of one civilization – Western civilization. We are bound to one another by the deepest bonds that nations could share, forged by centuries of shared history, Christian faith, culture, heritage, language, ancestry, and the sacrifices our forefathers made together for the common civilization to which we have fallen heir,” Rubio said.

Rubio also referenced President Donald Trump, saying the administration’s calls for greater reciprocity from European allies stem from concerns about the future of Europe.

"And so this is why we Americans may sometimes come off as a little direct and urgent in our counsel. This is why President Trump demands seriousness and reciprocity from our friends here in Europe. The reason why, my friends, is because we care deeply. We care deeply about your future and ours,” he said.

The conference opened on Friday with remarks from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who called for the US and Europe to “repair and revive trans-Atlantic trust together,” noting that a “divide” has opened up across the Atlantic. Rubio’s remarks come one year after Vice President JD Vance delivered similar warnings at the conference, raising concerns about European failure uphold Western values, particularly regarding immigration and free speech.