Munich Security Conference 2026 Opens Amid Heightened Global Tensions and Calls for Renewed Transatlantic Unity

February 13, 2026

The 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) began today in Munich, Germany, bringing together over 600 high-level participants from more than 100 countries to address the most pressing security challenges facing the world. Running from February 13–16 under the theme “Turning Point – Recalibrating Power,” this year’s gathering takes place against the backdrop of escalating conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, deepening U.S.-China rivalry, and uncertainty surrounding the second Trump administration’s foreign policy direction.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and MSC Chairman Christoph Heusgen opened the conference with stark warnings about the fragility of the international order. Merz emphasized that “the rules-based system is under unprecedented strain” and called for Europe to significantly increase defense spending and strategic autonomy while strengthening NATO ties. Heusgen described 2026 as “the most dangerous year for European security since the end of the Cold War.”

Key Themes and High-Profile Attendance

The conference features record attendance, including:

• U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (virtual address)
• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi
• NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
• EU High Representative Kaja Kallas
• Leaders and foreign ministers from France, United Kingdom, Poland, Israel, Saudi Arabia, India, and numerous African and Latin American states

Major sessions focus on:

• The future of NATO under potential U.S. policy shifts
• Pathways to sustainable ceasefire and reconstruction in Ukraine
• De-escalation prospects in the Middle East following recent U.S.-Iran tensions
• Managing competition and preventing conflict in the Indo-Pacific
• The weaponization of energy, food, and technology in hybrid warfare
• Climate security and the nexus between environmental degradation and conflict

Notable Statements and Developments

Vice President Vance delivered a widely anticipated address outlining the Trump administration’s “America First” approach to alliances, stating that “European partners must shoulder more of the burden for their own defense” while reaffirming U.S. commitment to Article 5. He also signaled openness to pragmatic diplomacy with Russia and China, provided core U.S. interests are protected.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned against “bloc confrontation” and “Cold War mentality,” calling for multilateralism and respect for “legitimate security concerns” of all nations. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, speaking via video link, urged Western capitals to maintain pressure on Russia and provide long-range weapons, warning that “any pause in support is a pause in survival.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan held separate bilateral meetings on the sidelines, with reports of continued discussions on normalization despite ongoing Gaza ceasefire implementation challenges.

Side Events and Protests

Parallel to the main conference, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, calling for stronger action on climate security, an end to arms exports to conflict zones, and accountability for human rights violations. Several side events focused on emerging technologies in warfare, including AI, autonomous systems, and hypersonic weapons.

The Munich Security Report 2026, released ahead of the conference, warned of a “multipolar moment of maximum danger” characterized by simultaneous crises, eroding arms control regimes, and increasing risk of escalation between major powers.

As the conference continues through Monday and Tuesday, attention will turn to closed-door bilateral meetings, the traditional “Munich Consensuses” on key issues, and whether any breakthroughs emerge on Ukraine, Middle East de-escalation, or transatlantic burden-sharing. With the world watching closely, the 2026 Munich Security Conference may prove one of the most consequential in its history. Live coverage and analysis continue on the official MSC website and partner broadcasters.