Trans-Atlantic tensions in focus as annual Munich security gathering opens: AP Dispatch скачать в хорошем качестве

Trans-Atlantic tensions in focus as annual Munich security gathering opens: AP Dispatch

(13 Feb 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ++STARTS AND ENDS ON A SOUNDBITE++ ASSOCIATED PRESS Munich, Germany - 13 February 2026 1. SOUNDBITE (English) Emma Burrows, The Associated Press: "Huge numbers of world leaders, top military officials, and politicians have descended on Germany for the annual Munich Security Conference to discuss the key issues facing the world. Last year, Vice President JD Vance came and launched a blistering attack on America's European allies, forcing leaders to confront a future where the US is not always aligned with Europe. Since then, President Donald Trump has berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, the White House has largely cut Europeans out of direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to end the war, and Trump threatened to use force to take control of Greenland, part of America's NATO ally, Denmark. At conferences like this, there's always a lot of talking. But the question is, what are these discussions going to achieve? What can Europeans do to become more independent of the US? What can they do to support Ukraine? To bolster their own security, ramp up defense production and improve their armed forces? And are European leaders prepared to have tough conversations with their people about the threats Europe faces and the cost to deter them?" 2. Arrival of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVE: Munich, Germany - 13 February 2025 3. Various of US Vice President JD Vance arriving at Munich airport ahead of the Munich Security Conference ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVE: Washington - 28 February 2025 4. STILL Vice President JD Vance, right, speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office at the White House (ID: 26017060121900 / Photographer Mystyslav Chernov) STORYLINE: An annual gathering of top international security figures that last year set the tone for a growing rift between the United States and Europe opens Friday, bringing together many top European officials with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others. The Munich Security Conference opens with a speech by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, one of 15 heads of state or government from European Union countries expected to attend. The many other expected guests at the conference that runs until Sunday include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. In keeping with the conference's tradition, there will also be a large delegation of members of the U.S. Congress. At last year's conference, held a few weeks into U.S. President Donald Trump's second term, Vice President JD Vance stunned European leaders by lecturing them about the state of democracy on the continent. A series of statements and moves from the Trump administration targeting allies followed in the months after that, including Trump's threat last month to impose new tariffs on several European countries in a bid to secure U.S. control of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. The president later dropped that threat. With Rubio heading the U.S. delegation this year, European leaders can hope for a less contentious approach more focused on traditional global security concerns. Rubio is expected to meet with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen on the sidelines of the conference, according to officials from both sides, one of many meetings going on in and around the hotel that hosts the event. Rubio arrived in Munich Friday and is due to address the conference on Saturday morning. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...