MUNICH
The three-day Munich Security Conference concluded on Sunday after intense high-level discussions centered on the war in Ukraine, Europe’s evolving security architecture, and the future of transatlantic relations in a rapidly shifting global order.
The 2026 edition of the annual gathering brought together more than 1,000 leaders, diplomats, and security experts from over 115 countries, including around 60 heads of state and government.
The conference opened on Friday with warnings about the erosion of the rules-based international order.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the "old world is gone," arguing that rapid geopolitical shifts are forcing nations to reassess their positions in what he described as a new era. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz similarly warned that the international order "no longer exists in its original form," citing Russia's war in Ukraine and growing great-power rivalries.
Ukraine, NATO, transatlantic unity
Ukraine dominated the agenda throughout the conference. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Russia is sustaining "staggering losses" in its war, urging allies not to fall for narratives portraying Moscow as a "mighty bear."
He stressed that European countries are increasing defense spending and taking on greater responsibility within NATO.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy repeatedly emphasized the importance of unity, calling it the "best interceptor" against Russia. He met NATO officials and US envoys on the sidelines to discuss air defense funding and diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war, while maintaining that Kyiv will not compromise on its territorial integrity.
European leaders highlighted the need for stronger defense coordination, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirming plans to boost defense spending, saying a stronger Europe would reinforce NATO.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for a stronger European pillar within the alliance while safeguarding transatlantic ties. He also said Europe must reduce certain strategic dependencies and work toward building a "more European NATO."
Merz also stressed that the EU must forge partnerships with countries like Türkiye, India, and Brazil to address global challenges.
Debates also touched on nuclear rearmament, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warning that expanding arsenals would be a "historical error," calling instead for renewed arms control efforts.
While US officials reassured European allies of Washington's commitment to NATO, several European leaders cautioned that unilateral approaches could risk weakening alliance unity.
China and the US also held high-level contacts on the sidelines of the conference, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meeting with Rubio as both sides navigated tensions over Ukraine and broader global competition. Wang said Europe should be "at the table" in any future peace talks on Ukraine and signaled Beijing’s willingness to provide additional humanitarian assistance to Kyiv.
Zelenskyy also met with envoys of US President Donald Trump ahead of anticipated trilateral talks in Geneva, saying he expects the meetings to be "truly productive," while reiterating that any settlement must safeguard Ukraine's sovereignty.
Middle East, global challenges, Europe's future
Beyond Ukraine, the Middle East featured prominently in discussions. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan called for an immediate halt to killings in Gaza and urged progress toward Palestinian statehood, stressing that stability requires concrete steps toward a two-state solution.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shaheen called on European countries such as Germany and Finland to recognize the state of Palestine.
Talks also addressed Syria's sovereignty and reconstruction efforts, as well as accountability mechanisms, following years of conflict.
Iran's nuclear program resurfaced as a key issue, with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi saying a new inspections agreement with Tehran is "technically possible" but politically difficult.
Climate security and economic resilience were also debated, with leaders warning that climate inaction poses growing economic and security risks.
On the final day of the conference, attention shifted to Europe's long-term strategic positioning. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas rejected claims that Europe is in decline, saying the continent must reinforce its defenses and global role in an increasingly competitive environment.
From Türkiye, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, National Intelligence Organization chief Ibrahim Kalin, chair of parliament's National Defense Committee Hulusi Akar, and Presidential Chief Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Cagatay Kilic attended the conference and held bilateral meetings on the sidelines.
