Secretary of State Marco Rubio tells European allies that international bodies must be reformed, arguing American leadership — not U.N. resolutions — has driven recent geopolitical outcomes.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
At the 2026 Munich Security Conference in Germany, Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered an address urging a reassessment of the post-Cold War international order, arguing that global institutions must be reformed to better serve the national interests of sovereign states.
Speaking before European leaders and defense officials, Rubio said the United States does not seek to dismantle international cooperation but believes longstanding institutions require significant restructuring.
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“We can no longer place the so-called global order above the vital interests of our people and our nations,” Rubio said, according to the official transcript released by the Department of State. “We do not need to abandon the system of international cooperation we authored, and we don’t need to dismantle the global institutions of the old order that together we built. But these must be reformed. These must be rebuilt.”
Rubio cited several major conflicts and security challenges, asserting that the United Nations has not delivered meaningful outcomes on key global crises.
“For example, the United Nations still has tremendous potential to be a tool for good in the world,” Rubio said. “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. Instead, it was American leadership that freed captives from barbarians and brought about a fragile truce. It had not solved the war in Ukraine. It took American leadership and partnership with many of the countries here today just to bring the two sides to the table in search of a still-elusive peace.”
He continued, “It was powerless to constrain the nuclear program of radical Shia clerics in Tehran. That required 14 bombs dropped with precision from American B-2 bombers. And it was unable to address the threat to our security from a narcoterrorist dictator in Venezuela. Instead, it took American Special Forces to bring this fugitive to justice.”
In remarks that were widely circulated on social media, Rubio also emphasized the role of national identity in defense policy. “Armies do not fight for abstractions,” he said. “Armies fight for a people. Armies fight for a nation. Armies fight for a way of life.” The statement was later highlighted in a post from his official account on X, which shared video of the exchange during the conference.
Throughout the address, Rubio argued that Western nations had embraced what he described as a mistaken belief that trade and multilateral governance could replace traditional nationhood after the fall of the Soviet Union. He pointed to deindustrialization, mass migration, energy policy decisions and reliance on international institutions as policy choices that, in his view, weakened economic and strategic resilience.
Invoking President Donald Trump’s agenda, Rubio said the United States is pursuing what he characterized as national renewal focused on reindustrialization, border enforcement, supply chain independence, defense readiness and technological leadership.
“Controlling who and how many people enter our countries… is not hate. It is a fundamental act of national sovereignty,” Rubio said.
Despite his criticism of international bodies, Rubio stressed that the United States prefers to work with European allies rather than act alone. “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.
During a question-and-answer session, Rubio addressed ongoing diplomatic efforts regarding the war in Ukraine. He said that while technical-level military meetings had taken place and sanctions continue, it remains uncertain whether Russia is prepared to accept terms that Ukraine can live with.
“We don’t know the Russians are serious about ending the war; they say they are — and under what terms they were willing to do it and whether we can find terms that are acceptable to Ukraine that Russia will always agree to,” Rubio said. “But we’re going to continue to test it.”
He also discussed U.S.-China relations ahead of a planned summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Rubio said that maintaining dialogue is essential, even amid strategic competition.
“It would be geopolitical malpractice to not be in conversations with China,” Rubio said, adding that diplomacy must navigate areas where national interests diverge while avoiding unnecessary conflict.
Rubio concluded by framing the U.S.-Europe alliance as foundational to what he described as Western civilization, arguing that future cooperation should be rooted in shared heritage, economic strength and defense capability.
“We do not seek to separate, but to revitalize an old friendship and renew the greatest civilization in human history,” Rubio said.
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