In response, a topic that had been taboo in Berlin for decades was opened up in Munich – European nuclear deterrence. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the strategic dialogue with Germany on the inclusion of European partners under the French nuclear umbrella.
“We have started a strategic dialogue with Chancellor Merz and (other) European leaders to see how we can formulate our national doctrine,” Macron described.
This shift is a direct response to Trump’s threats and shifting American priorities. However, Europe is divided on this issue. While Paris and Berlin seek autonomy, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has warned against nuclear weapons, calling it a gamble.
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also stepped in with a request for the activation of Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty (clause on mutual defense), which should complement or even replace the NATO guarantees, which may be uncertain today.
This article states that “if an EU country becomes a victim of armed aggression on its territory, other EU countries are obliged to help and support it with all the means in their power”. However, it is considered less powerful than its NATO equivalent.
“I believe that the time has come to put into practice the European mutual defense clause. Mutual defense is not voluntary for the EU,” said the President of the European Commission on Saturday. However, the ambition to build an 800-billion-dollar defense fund runs into the reality of slow decision-making and the disunity of the member states.
Ukraine and an empty chair for Europe
The feeling of European helplessness in Munich was reinforced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. “Europe is practically not at the negotiating table. In my opinion, this is a big mistake,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday. “And I think that it is we, the Ukrainians, who are trying to fully involve Europe in the process, so that its interests and voice are taken into account. This is very important,” he added.
Zelensky’s words confirm that Vladimir Putin has no motivation to talk to European leaders while the White House allows him to bypass them. Despite bearing the brunt of financial and military aid, Europe has found itself on the sidelines on key issues of the new security arrangement.
Two faces of diplomacy
In this critical context, the eyes of many were also focused on the Czech delegation. However, she gave a performance in Munich, which after the recent case of blackmailing the president, did not strengthen faith in a united and strong Czech Republic.
On one side stood President Petr Pavel, who has maintained a high international position for a long time. On the other hand, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs Petr Macinka, the nominee of the Motoristé sebo party, presented himself for the first time at such a forum. His performance in the panel entitled “The West-West Divide” became a viral moment – but not in a positive way for Macinka.
Macinka tried to transfer the rhetoric of domestic populists to the most prestigious world security forum. In a discussion with the heavyweights of diplomacy, such as the Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski or Hillary Clinton, he started criticizing the European Union for its alleged democratic deficit and “social engineering”.
The result was a live lesson. Polish Minister Sikorski objectively and cold-bloodedly analyzed Macinka’s arguments, reminding him that European Commissioners are nominated by democratically elected governments – precisely the one in which Macinka himself sits. “I’m not saying that it’s not a democratic system,” the Czech minister finally admitted.
Foreign commentators also noticed this incident. British journalist Adam Schwarz on the X social network that Sikorski literally “trained” his Czech colleague. Former Vice-President of the European Parliament Pavel Telička Macinka’s performance for arrogant self-presentation that showed ignorance of the context of the conference.
The overall impression of the Czech mission was further underlined by the cold relationship between the president and the minister, who flamboyantly ignored each other in Munich.
The Lonely Continent
Despite the efforts, the Munich Security Conference 2026 did not bring peace. It showed Europe caught between Russian aggression from the east and American isolationism and transactional politics from the west that disdain traditional alliances.
Incidents like Macinkov’s only point to a more serious trend: the breakdown of consensus. While the Polish foreign minister understands the EU as an instrument of power, the Czech one sees it as an enemy. And while Macron and Merz seek a path to strategic autonomy, other leaders hope to ingratiate themselves with Trump by adopting his narratives.
