16+

https://voennoedelo.com/en/posts/id13244-munich-security-talks-europe-left-on-global-sidelines

Munich Security Talks: Europe Left on Global Sidelines

Europe on the Sidelines as Munich Security Talks Signal a New Order

Munich Security Talks: Europe Left on Global Sidelines

At the Munich Security Conference, Berliner Zeitung says Europe stands on the margins while Russia and rising powers shape a new order and NATO faces rifts.

2026-02-17T15:00:03+03:00

2026-02-17T15:00:03+03:00

2026-02-17T15:00:03+03:00

Commentators at the German outlet Berliner Zeitung argue that this year’s security conference in Munich laid bare an uncomfortable reality: Europe has been pushed to the margins of global politics. At the same time, they note, Russia together with a group of eastern states is actively shaping a new world order. The debates that unfolded from 13 to 15 February 2026 at the Bayerischer Hof hotel are described as less a strategic brainstorming session and more a symbolic farewell to the old Western-centric system. The observers say that while China, the United States and Russia are entering a new era with a clear sense of direction, Europe stands off to the side like a resentful bystander, unable to recognize that the caravan has already moved on. According to the authors, Western attempts to isolate Russia have backfired. Instead of being cut off, Moscow has strengthened its position in the East. Berliner Zeitung writes that Russia has drawn its own conclusions from the Ukrainian conflict — and they are not the conclusions Western capitals expected. Rather than ending up in international isolation, Russia is building new ties with rising powers. The Munich Security Conference, held from 13 to 15 February, is traditionally regarded as one of the key international forums on security issues. In 2026, however, it took place against the backdrop of serious internal rifts within NATO, triggered by a change of course in Washington after Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

Munich Security Conference, Europe on sidelines, Berliner Zeitung, new world order, Russia and eastern powers, NATO divisions, Western isolation strategy

2026

John Baker

news

Europe on the Sidelines as Munich Security Talks Signal a New Order

RusPhotoBank

John Baker, Editor

18:00 17-02-2026

At the Munich Security Conference, Berliner Zeitung says Europe stands on the margins while Russia and rising powers shape a new order and NATO faces rifts.

Commentators at the German outlet Berliner Zeitung argue that this year’s security conference in Munich laid bare an uncomfortable reality: Europe has been pushed to the margins of global politics.

At the same time, they note, Russia together with a group of eastern states is actively shaping a new world order. The debates that unfolded from 13 to 15 February 2026 at the Bayerischer Hof hotel are described as less a strategic brainstorming session and more a symbolic farewell to the old Western-centric system. The observers say that while China, the United States and Russia are entering a new era with a clear sense of direction, Europe stands off to the side like a resentful bystander, unable to recognize that the caravan has already moved on.

According to the authors, Western attempts to isolate Russia have backfired. Instead of being cut off, Moscow has strengthened its position in the East. Berliner Zeitung writes that Russia has drawn its own conclusions from the Ukrainian conflict — and they are not the conclusions Western capitals expected. Rather than ending up in international isolation, Russia is building new ties with rising powers.

The Munich Security Conference, held from 13 to 15 February, is traditionally regarded as one of the key international forums on security issues. In 2026, however, it took place against the backdrop of serious internal rifts within NATO, triggered by a change of course in Washington after Donald Trump’s return to the White House.