From Acropolis, Rubio Urges Europe To Defend Western Values And Strengthen US Alliance

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Europe to reclaim what he described as the Western values of national loyalty, courage, ambition and democratic principles, while calling for stronger US-Europe cooperation to confront growing security threats.

Speaking at the ancient Pnyx in Athens with the Acropolis and Parthenon behind him, Rubio said Western nations must reject the idea that foreign policy should put the “global community” ahead of their own people. He said the US under President Donald Trump had chosen the “unapologetic pursuit of national power” and warned that decisions made over the next decade would determine whether the West remained a global leader or faced decline.

Rubio also called on European nations to shoulder a greater share of the burden for defending the continent, pointing to Greece as an example of higher defence spending. The remarks came during his three-country NATO tour, which began in Iceland and ends in Portugal.

The Athens visit also produced concrete agreements. Rubio and Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis announced a new memorandum of understanding to strengthen counterterrorism information-sharing between US and Greek law enforcement agencies, with cooperation also targeting irregular migration, human trafficking and transnational crime.

Energy and defence were major parts of the sixth Greece-US Strategic Dialogue. Washington and Athens discussed expanding US liquefied natural gas supplies through Greece to Central and Eastern Europe, new energy and electricity links, and deeper military cooperation involving Greece’s upgraded F-16s, planned F-35s and the strategic port of Alexandroupolis. The talks also covered the Eastern Mediterranean, Ukraine, the Middle East and maritime security.

Rubio’s speech carried clear political overtones. The former Republican senator, who ran for president in 2016, is viewed alongside Vice President JD Vance as a potential future Republican leader. His remarks echoed Vance’s criticism of Europe and Trump’s emphasis on national sovereignty.

The visit was also overshadowed by scrutiny of US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle. Rubio defended her but declined to address fresh allegations that she sought a $100,000 payment from a Trump donor in exchange for access to administration officials. Guilfoyle has denied wrongdoing.

About 1,500 people protested Rubio’s visit and US actions in Iran, while similar demonstrations were reported in other Greek cities.