At the Munich Security Conference, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a conservative, took a step forward in assuming European leadership. In a carefully considered and calculated speech, Merz sought a balance between the desire to move towards greater European defense autonomy and the need to maintain the historic alliance with the United States. All of this stemmed from the assumption that a new era is dawning on the international stage, one that no longer adheres to the parameters of the post-World War II era. Merz and Macron acknowledged ongoing talks to "articulate France's nuclear deterrent for Europe," Macron stated, making it clear that a strong stance is necessary: "Europe must become a geopolitical power." At this point, it remains to be seen what position London, which also possesses nuclear weapons, will adopt. In any case, in Munich, Merz, Macron, and Starmer made a public appearance together. The chancellor has opted for this path without abandoning Atlanticism, that is, within a NATO in which Europe assumes greater responsibility and, therefore, greater military strength. This European strengthening responds to the Western rebalancing unleashed by US President Donald Trump with his disruptive and contemptuous approach to Europe. What approach? So far, a four-move strategy. First, pressuring traditional partners to increase their military budgets—and to do so by spending on American industry. Second, flirting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the context of the war in Ukraine; this very Friday he insisted: "Russia wants to reach an agreement and Zelensky will have to make a move or he will lose a great opportunity." Third, emboldening the continental far right and thus weakening European unity. And fourth, with the threat of invading a European territory, Greenland (Denmark).
Faced with this situation, the German Chancellor has taken a step forward. An essential step for which the French President was waiting, perfectly prepared. Because without the Franco-German axis, there is hardly a European alternative to the Trumpian shock to Atlanticism. For the moment, despite its weaknesses, the continental reaction has managed to halt the US President's ambitions regarding Greenland. In fact, it has been the overbearing American voracity regarding the Arctic island that has spurred a more vigorous European reaction.
With the Greenland coup stopped, the spotlight shifts once again to Ukraine. Thus, the terms of the future peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow will define European strength in the face of Putin and a Trump who, contrary to NATO's historical logic, continues to demonstrate a dubious neutrality in the negotiations between Zelensky and Putin, besides an evident disregard for the European role in the negotiations.
Merz doesn't want to break the fight. He still believes in NATO. That's why, while setting course for a militarily strengthened Europe less dependent on the US, he also addresses Trump to warn him: "In an era of great power rivalry, not even the US is strong enough to go it alone."
