Merz defends the defensive alliance with Washington: "Not even the US is strong enough to go it alone."

BarcelonaGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed Germany's commitment to a joint defense strategy with the United States, speaking to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Weeks after Donald Trump threatened NATO territory with a possible invasion of Greenland, Merz emphasized the importance of maintaining strong transatlantic relations. "In an era of great power rivalry, not even the US is strong enough to go it alone," the German Chancellor said. In his opening address to the Munich Security Conference, he also called on Washington to "repair and revive trust" in a new and dangerous era of great power politics, and warned that the United States could not go it alone as the old global order crumbles. According to a post on his Twitter account, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that the meeting between Merz and Rubio served as an opportunity for the German Chancellor and the US Secretary of State to express their "agreement on many issues, including a strong NATO and a strong Europe." "The United States and Germany are close friends and firm partners. Today's meeting with Secretary of State Rubio and the Chancellor reaffirmed the strong transatlantic ties based on our shared interests and understandings," Wadephul noted. Meanwhile, the Chancellor admitted that Berlin has begun confidential talks with France on nuclear deterrence in Europe. In his opinion, the region must strengthen itself to restore its relationship with the United States. Merz and Rubio have met at 'Germany House', a facility located near the Bayerische Hof, the hotel hosting the Munich Security Conference. At the same venue, the German Chancellor is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is scheduled to speak at the conference on Saturday, the same day the State Secretary will address the conference.