Once the Americans Warned of the Russian Threat. Now, It’s the Europeans’ Turn.

At the 2026 Munich Security Conference, a reversal of roles has emerged between the U.S. and Europe regarding the Russian threat. Four years prior, American officials presented evidence of an impending invasion of Ukraine, which European leaders largely dismissed. Now, European leaders are warning that even a ceasefire in Ukraine won't halt Putin's destabilizing actions, while U.S. officials focus on negotiating an end to the conflict. This shift is fueled by recent disputes between Washington and Europe, leading some European nations to discuss "de-risking" from the U.S., a term previously used in relation to China and Russia. The Europeans now warn of threats that the Americans, in their speeches to the conference, never acknowledged, including concerns about President Trump's unpredictability. Secretary of State Rubio attempted to ease European fears, adopting a more diplomatic tone.

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