February 13, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Trans-Atlantic tensions in focus as annual Munich security gathering opens
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.
EuropeBy Emma Burrows, Matthew Lee and Geir Moulson, Associated Press Friday, Feb 13, 2026German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius speaks to reporters in front of the Bayerischer Hof Hotel as he attends the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 13, 2026. (Halil Sagirkaya/Anadolu via Getty Images)MUNICH (AP) — 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.“Trans-Atlantic relations have been the backbone of this conference since it was founded in 1963 ...