Marco Rubio urges Europe to “wake up from sleep” and strengthen its defense

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Europe to strengthen its defenses and adopt a firmer strategy to protect Western interests in a speech delivered Wednesday in Athens, on Pnyx Hill, near the Acropolis. He warned that the West is at a “turning point,” and that the decisions made now will determine whether it maintains its position as a global leader or enters a period of decline.

Rubio praised the civilization of ancient Greece and argued that Europe can “wake up from its sleep” and rekindle its spirit of initiative. The U.S. official welcomed increased defense spending, new partnerships and the revival of Europe’s industry following commitments made at the NATO summit in The Hague.

In his view, power means not only having defensive capabilities, but also the credibility to demonstrate that they can be used. Rubio also called for greater investment in technology, artificial intelligence and the industries of the future, warning that Europe risks falling behind.

The U.S. secretary of state said the Donald Trump administration is pursuing the consolidation of national power through control of strategic supply chains, reindustrialization and the development of the defense sector. He identified mass immigration as one of the main threats to Europe and called for the protection of Christian civilization. Before the speech, Rubio met with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and other officials in Athens.