Name: EU and UK reactions to Rubio's softer tone on Europe
Uploaded: 2026-02-15T17:03:57.000Z
Duration: 8 min 54 s
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Transition words & phrases

We shouldn't get in the warm bath of complacency and think that therefore all we're really doing is reasserting the continuation of what we've had for the last 80 years.

Adverbs of degree

That would be a mistake and it would be a particular mistake for Europe because my strong view is that Europe hasn't done enough in its own defence and security for many years.

Sentences with advanced comparative

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.

And just to be clear, the special report put out before this conference began labels Trump, quote, the Demolition man and its authors warned that the.

That we're entering an era of, quote, wrecking ball politics with the U.

S led post 1945 international order now under destruction.

And so I asked the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for their red lines and roadmap for the future defense and survival of Europe.

I was very much reassured by the speech of the Secretary of State which we know him, he's a good friend, a strong ally indeed, and

this was for me, very reassuring to listen to him.

We know that in the administration some have a harsher tone on these topics, but

He said, we want a strong Europe in the alliance and this is what we are working for intensively in the European Union.

We have to be an independent Europe, not a Europe that is leaning on someone, but

a Europe that is going forward with friends and allies together facing the challenges that are out there.

I thought the Secretary of State speech was consistent with the argument that Ursula made in her remarks a moment ago and the argument I'm making.

I think it's really clear though that we, we shouldn't get in the warm bath of complacency and think that therefore all we're really doing is reasserting the continuation of what we've had for the last 80 years.

That would be a mistake and it would be a particular mistake for Europe because my strong view is that Europe hasn't done enough in its own defence and security for many years because we will only be able to preserve NATO in the way it is needed for the next 80 years in if we change and strengthen the European dimension.

That is something which a number of American Presidents have said for some time, I believe to be true.

And I think we've got to seize this movement to move forward, not to pull apart the transatlantic relationship, but

to make sure it works in the circumstance and the times that we face.

The current Secretary General of NATO, after Trump's Davos speech, actually

after Prime Minister Carney's speech, which talked about a, you know, a rupture, he said, if you all are thinking that you can do what you have to do without the United States, then dream on, it's not going to happen.

So how long do you think it'll take to get to this posture that you both say you need to get to?

Well, the first thing I'd say is that we're not looking at a future that tears us apart from the Euro Atlantic alliance that we have now.

NATO has been the single most effective and successful military alliance the world has ever known, and

But I think simply sitting where we are isn't good enough.

And therefore the change does need to come that needs Europe to be stronger, to be working more closely together.

That's why I said what I said about the UK EU relationship with 10 years on from Brexit.

We are not the Britain of the Brexit years.

We're a Britain that wants to work with the EU even more closely in light of the challenge that we face here 10 years on.

I want to get to the bottom of this, that some red lines have been crossed and they cannot be uncrossed.

You were talking about the United States in your speech.

Because there is a massive deficit of trust between many people in the alliance and certainly leaders who are now having to do what you're doing, workarounds, de risking decoupling, whatever you might want to call it, independence.

What red lines have been crossed that cannot be uncrossed.

So, for example, I want to be very clear, our digital sovereignty is our digital sovereignty very clear on that one.

And we have a long tradition in freedom of speech.

Actually, the enlightenment started on our continent.

And we are very clear with digital sovereignty also that what is forbidden offline is forbidden online.

And we will not flinch what that is concerned.

We will be very steadfast to pursue this very clear demand for us about Ukraine, because again, Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, barely mentioned it, except for an elusive piece.

President Trump has said in his latest comments that Ukraine President Zelensky needs to get onto it because Russia wants a Deal.

And President Zelensky needs to get onto it right now, otherwise he's going to miss a great opportunity.

Secretary Rubio did not go to your meeting, your leaders meeting with President Zelensky last night.

Is it Zelensky who needs to be prosecuted, pressured?

So I think it's extremely important that we do not buy in the Russian narrative.

I mean, if we look at the strategic goals and the military goals of Putin, it's a huge failure.

NATO has gotten bigger with Sweden and Finland.

He wanted to occupy Ukraine within days or weeks.

Well, now we are, unfortunately in the fourth year of the war, and

I think it is so important that we on our side tell the truth.

What is going on in Russia with a war economy, with skyrocketing interest rates and inflation, completely isolated, and

And in this war of attrition, it is of utmost importance that we push forward the negotiations and put pressure on Putin that he finally comes to the negotiation table.

So I need to ask you a political question, because a lot of people at home are interested.

You've just spoken about the amount of money that needs to be spent on the Ukraine defence, on Britain, on Europe.

I wanted to ask you, do you think you narrowly just miss being toppled?

Do you think that what's happening in the politics at home is distracting you and perhaps making you vulnerable to a Brexit follow, you know, the Reform Party or even maybe the Conservatives, who might not want to pursue the kind of politics that you want to pursue.

I ended the week much stronger than I started it, and that's a very good place to be.

And my party and my government is completely united on the question of Ukraine and defence and security and the need for stronger relations with Europe, on defence, on security and on economy as well.

And so I think that there is real strength in the position I've now set out.

The whole of the government is united behind that.

I think actually it unites across the House of Commons.

Imagine if they were in government in the United Kingdom.

The coalition of the willing could not exist with UK participation in it.

We would not be seen as a leader on the European or international stage, we would be seen as a country that people couldn't do business with.

So it is not universal across our parliament, but

there's a very strong feeling that amongst right minded politicians that we stick together on Ukraine.

So for all of the divisions that you never to get in politics, there are some real clarity and some real certainty on these key issues.

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EU and UK reactions to Rubio's softer tone on Europe

pursue

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