Look Who's Talking! Europeans Reject Rubio's Claims of "Civilizational Erasure"

The Greek Courier

Source: Associated Press

February 15, 2026

MUNICH — In a powerful rebuttal, a senior European Union official decisively dismissed the U.S. assertion that Europe is facing "civilizational erasure." This statement came on the heels of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's address at the Munich Security Conference, where he attempted to provide reassurance to European allies, albeit laced with the Trump administration's critical perspective.

Yet, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas took an aggressive stand against the alarming narrative outlined in the U.S. national security strategy released in December, which claimed that Europe’s economic stagnation is overshadowed by the imminent threat of cultural decline. This document painted a bleak picture, asserting that Europe is weakened by immigration policies, declining birth rates, "censorship of free speech," and a "loss of national identities and self-confidence."

"Let me be crystal clear: despite what some may opine, a 'woke, decadent Europe' is not on the brink of civilizational collapse," Kallas declared at the conference. "People still aspire to join our club—not solely fellow Europeans," she asserted, recalling her visit to Canada last year where she encountered a strong interest in EU membership.

Kallas also dismissed what she referred to as "European-bashing," emphasizing, "We are committed to advancing humanity and defending human rights, which ultimately fosters prosperity. It's hard to accept these baseless accusations when our actions speak otherwise."

This exchange highlights the growing tensions between Europe and the U.S. as Rubio, while adopting a softer tone than Vice President JD Vance's previous reprimands, still underscored Washington's determination to reshape the transatlantic alliance in its own image.

And what an image that is! No respect for people or the working class, just for billionaires, no respect for sovereign nations, just for billionaires; no respect for the environment, just for billionaires! No respect for human life and the suffering of children, whether that takes place in Gaza, Sudan, Venezuela, or the waters of the Mediterranean Sea! This US administration bows down only to the billionaires, preaching that immigrants threaten the fabric of European societies. The only thing that threatens the fabric of Europe is the new American Authoritarianism, modelled upon the Nazis and their propaganda machine.