Europeupdated 1h ago3 min read
Marco Rubio Warns Europe Against Western Decline in Athens Speech Under Donald Trump
Rubio urged Europe to awaken from its slumber to defend Western civilization He linked Western decline to open borders, outsourcing, and weakened military; called for national power
Rubio warns Europe
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a speech in Athens in which he said the West faced a choice at an "inflection point" and warned that the course ahead would determine whether it avoided "atrophy, servitude, and decline." Rubio told his audience beneath the Acropolis that "Either we choose to act now, or lose the choice to act at all," and he said the United States under President Donald Trump had already made its choice. Rubio argued that Europe had to "awaken from its long slumber" and said the West should return to what he called the "classical understanding of politics and statecraft" that the Trump administration hoped to reclaim.
Rubio also framed the moment as a renewed contest among major powers, saying "There is new competition between great powers again" and warning of "vulnerability, aggression, terrorism" and other threats. Rubio said his visit to Greece was part of a European tour that included stops in Iceland and Portugal, and he said he would meet conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday evening before departing for Lisbon on Thursday.
Alliance and energy
Rubio said the United States and Greece shared a "critical" alliance, and he told the audience that "As you see a world that faces... destabilising events, you recognise how important this alliance with Greece is to the United States." Rubio announced a joint agreement on information-sharing on drug trafficking and terrorism, and he said the strategic dialogue with Greece focused on regional and energy security amid tensions triggered by the wars in Iran and Ukraine. Rubio said Greece was positioning itself as a key hub in southeastern Europe for the transport of natural gas, and he pointed to recently opened gas pipelines and port infrastructure enabling Greece to contribute to an energy corridor through eastern Europe to Ukraine.
Rubio said the wars in Iran and Ukraine had highlighted the fragility of energy supply routes, and he described Greece as particularly exposed to threats posed by "mass migrations, human trafficking, and various forms of terrorism." Rubio said American LNG arrives at Greece's Port of Alexandroupoli, near the Greek-Turkish border, and he tied that infrastructure to the country's role in energy routes in the region.
Contested politics in Europe
Rubio's Athens speech came as US media reported possible conflicts of interest involving the US ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and several Democrats accused Guilfoyle of promoting the commercial interests of a Greek construction and energy company during official diplomatic engagements. Rubio refused to answer when asked about the allegations, but he reiterated his support for the former Fox News presenter, while the reporting said the accusations also included allowing a registered lobbyist for the foreign company to participate in meetings with senior US officials. Rubio also used the speech to argue that Europe should defend Christian civilization, and he said in February that Europe was threatened by mass immigration.
Rubio told the audience that "We choose the unapologetic pursuit of national power" and said it meant taking back control of critical supply chains, reindustrialising the economy, rebuilding defence, and fighting for dominance of the technologies and industries of the future. Rubio said he saw "encouraging signs" in Europe that Washington hoped would be the beginning of a generational shift, including "skyrocketing defence spending" and expanded manufacturing and production.