US does not seek split with Europe, but ‘revitalised’ alliance: Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sought to reassure a nervous Europe, saying that Washington wanted to "revitalise" the transatlantic alliance so that a strong Europe could help the US on its mission of global "renewal".

"We do not seek to separate, but to revitalise an old friendship and renew the greatest civilisation in human history," Rubio said as he addressed a security conference in Munich on Saturday. "What we want is a reinvigorated alliance."

"We want Europe to be strong. We believe that Europe must survive," Rubio said, adding that the continent and the US "belong together."

The United States will be "driven by a vision of a future as proud, as sovereign, and as vital as our civilisation's past," he said.

"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," he said.

Rubio's speech marked a sharp contrast to that of US Vice President JD Vance a year ago, when he used the same stage to attack European policies on immigration and free speech, shocking European allies.

Rubio reiterated the Trump administration's stance that immigration is "destabilising societies" but otherwise largely avoided the MAGA flashpoint and culture war issues that, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday, had deepened a "rift" between the US and Europe.

‘Europe must rely less on US for its defence’

Bruised by Trump's designs on Greenland and his often hostile comments about America's traditional allies, European leaders who have gathered at the Munich Security Conference have pledged to shoulder more of the burden of shared NATO defences.

Key leaders have pushed the message that this is essential for Europe, with NATO chief Mark Rutte saying that "a strong Europe in a strong NATO means that the transatlantic bond will be stronger than ever".

French President Emmanuel Macron told the gathering on Friday that "this is the right time for a strong Europe," that would be "clear in the support of Ukraine" and "building its own architecture of security".

"This Europe will be a good ally and partner for the United States of America," he said.

British leader Keir Starmer was expected to tell the conference that Europe is "a sleeping giant" and must rely less on the United States for its defence.

The Trump administration's new National Security Strategy similarly launched an unprecedented attack against Europeans, charging that the continent is threatened with "civilisational decline".

On Friday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz appealed to Washington: "Let's repair and revive transatlantic trust together."

Ties plunged further last month when Trump stepped up threats to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO member Denmark, forcing European nations to stand firm in protest.

Russia-Ukraine war in focus

We don't know if the Russians are serious about ending the war, Rubio said in his speech on Saturday. "They say they are. We're going to continue to test it."

The high-powered Munich meeting of government leaders, diplomats, defence and intelligence chiefs comes shortly before the Russia-Ukraine war is set to enter its fifth gruelling year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been in Munich since Friday and meeting multiple allies, was expected to address the meeting on Saturday. No Russian officials have been invited.

At the White House on Friday, Trump urged him to "get moving" to end the war. "Russia wants to make a deal... He has to move," the US leader said.

According to a source within the German government, Merz and Rubio met at the conference on Friday to discuss Ukraine, the status of negotiations with Russia, and further support for the country — particularly in terms of military aid

They also discussed Europe's role in NATO, and "Rubio praised Germany's steps to strengthen the alliance", the source added.

Rubio: UN playing 'no role' in resolving conflicts

Rubio also said the UN had played "virtually no role" in resolving the conflicts and called for global institutions to be reformed.

"The United Nations still has tremendous potential to be a tool for good in the world," he told the Munich Security Conference.

"But we cannot ignore that, today, on the most pressing matters before us, it has no answers and has played virtually no role. It could not solve the war in Gaza."