Published on: 02/13/2026 - 07:10 Modified on: 02/13/2026 - 22:18

The French president spoke Friday in Munich, Germany, at the Munich Security Conference. “Everyone should take an example from us, instead of criticizing us,” he said in response to statements last year by US Vice President JD Vance, who attacked European policies on immigration and freedom of expression. Find the thread for Friday February 13, 2026.

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⬇️ In Ukraine, foreign fighters from the International Legions are reassigned

Since their creation, the International Legions have been deployed to defend Kharkiv, Vuledar, Bakhmut, most of the major battles of the Ukrainian conflict.

Macron, Starmer and Merz “together for a strong Europe”

Macron calls on Europeans to develop precision deep strike capabilities

Emmanuel Macron explained that if Europeans want to be in a “position of strength” to discuss with Russia in the future, they must “actively develop” their “toolbox” in terms of defense, particularly in terms of “precision deep strike” systems.

“Europe must become a geopolitical power,” says Emmanuel Macron

The French president rejected accusations that Europe is in decline and defended his desire to fight disinformation and social media excesses that harm Western democracies.

“It’s time to be bold. It’s time to have a strong Europe,” declared Emmanuel Macron. "Europe must learn to become a geopolitical power. This was not part of our DNA."

“Even if an agreement is reached with Ukraine, we will still have to face an aggressive Russia,” says Macron

Europeans must prepare for the day after: "if we reach a settlement on Ukraine, we will still have to deal with an aggressive Russia, with a supercharged defense industry, and a hypertrophied army," declared the French president.

In case of peace in Ukraine, Europe will have to “define rules of coexistence” with Russia, says Macron

Emmanuel Macron warned that Europe will have to "define its rules of coexistence" with Russia once a peace agreement is found to end the war in Ukraine, in order to "limit the risk of escalation".

“Europeans must begin this work, with their own thinking and their own interests,” the French president said at the Munich Security Conference. He proposed to the Europeans to “launch a series of consultations on this important subject”.

And if they want to be in a "position of strength" to discuss with Russia in the future, the countries of the Old Continent must "actively develop" their "toolbox" in terms of defense, particularly in terms of deep "precision strike" systems, he said.

“The solution to ending the war in Ukraine cannot be to give in to Russia’s demands, but to increase pressure,” says Emmanuel Macron

A year after JD Vance's attack, Macron calls for taking Europe as an "example" rather than "criticizing" it

French President Emmanuel Macron has defended his continent as an example to follow, as Europe seeks to repair strained ties with the United States.

“Everyone should take an example from us, instead of criticizing us,” he said at the Munich Security Conference, while US Vice President JD Vance used his speech at this annual meeting last year to attack European policies on immigration and freedom of expression, thus shocking European allies.

"Europe has been vilified as an aging, slow and fragmented construction, relegated by history. As an over-regulated and apathetic economy that turns away from innovation. As a society prey to barbaric migrations that would corrupt its precious traditions. And, even more curiously, in certain circles, as a repressive continent where speech is not free and where alternative facts cannot claim the same rights as the truth itself - this outdated and cumbersome concept."

Emmanuel Macron speaks in Munich

Watch the French president's speech live on France 24.

Safran built its “resilience” by launching manufacturing in India

The French aircraft engine manufacturer Safran announced that it would establish in India an assembly line for the M88 engine, which equips the French Rafale fighter plane, of which India is considering purchasing around a hundred new examples.

“We are obviously going to establish an assembly line in India,” which would be the first outside of France, said Safran’s general director, Olivier Andriès. He declared that he was ready to launch assembly lines outside France for other military equipment, in order to build its industrial “resilience”.

Trump calls on Zelensky to 'get moving' to reach deal with Russia

Donald Trump said Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky will miss an opportunity to make peace with Russia if he doesn't "move on," saying Moscow wants to end the war in Ukraine.

"Russia wants to make a deal and Zelensky will have to act. Otherwise, he will miss a golden opportunity. He must act," he said.

Donald Trump told reporters at the White House.

With these words, the American president once again seems to want to put pressure on kyiv to accept the conditions

set by Moscow to end the war, including the withdrawal of the Ukrainian army from the part of Donbass that Russian forces failed to conquer.

“Our continent” “needs an independent defense industry” in “partnership with the United States,” says Zelensky

“It is good to have a strong partnership with the Americans,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on the sidelines of the conference. But Europe “needs an independent defense industry, very strong (in) partnership with the United States,” he insisted. “This is our continent.”

Finnish president calls for “working with the Americans”

The Finnish President, Alexander Stubb, called despite the difficulties in transatlantic relations "not to throw the baby out with the bathwater".

“There are issues we can work on with the Americans – NATO, defense, technology, minerals, in our case icebreakers. (...) So there are many things we can do, while cordially disagreeing on things related to the EU or international institutions, the liberal international order and climate change,” added the Finnish president.

⬇️ At ​​the origins of the Munich Security Conference

IAEA-Iran agreement on inspections 'possible' but 'terribly difficult'

The Secretary General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, estimated that finding an agreement between the IAEA and Tehran on inspections of the Iranian nuclear program was "completely possible", but that it was necessary to "walk on a tightrope" to move the dialogue forward.

Iran refused in November for the IAEA to inspect its various bombed sites, saying it wanted to include them in a "new framework".

Europe should speak with one voice to Russia, says Putin opponent

Europe must speak with one voice in Moscow to make its interests heard and could face a period of prolonged tensions with Russia reminiscent of the Cold War, Russian opponent Mikhail Khodorkovsky told AFP.

"I am absolutely certain that in the next five to ten years Europe will face a cold war with Russia, which will most likely be combined with a hybrid war," he told AFP.

"Contacts are absolutely necessary. (...) The question is how to conduct these discussions. And, in my opinion, it would obviously be preferable for Europe to speak with one voice," he added, suggesting that Europe appoint a single representative to negotiate with the Kremlin.

2026 Olympics: Court of Arbitration for Sport rejects Ukrainian Heraskevych's appeal against his disqualification

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected the appeal of Ukrainian Vladislav Heraskevych, who therefore remains disqualified from the skeleton events at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games for wanting to wear a helmet honoring his teammates killed in the conflict with Russia.

“The ad hoc chamber of the CAS rejected the request and considered that freedom of expression is guaranteed at the Olympic Games, but not at the venue of competition, which is a sacred principle,” Matthieu Reeb, secretary general of the court, declared to the press.

Emmanuel Macron arrived in Munich

“The relationship is in the middle of a lot of uncertainty. We must clarify what we want and what we are ready to do, and the same for the Americans,” Emmanuel Macron told journalists upon his arrival.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives at the Munich Security Conference, in Munich, Germany, Friday, February 13, 2026. © Photo Thomas Kienzle, Pool via AP

🎥 What is the state of health of NATO?

"We notice that Donald Trump's step backwards in Davos seems to be confirmed and has enabled NATO not to collapse. NATO is still there. It has lost credibility and it could possibly be restored. We are talking about a Europeanization of NATO with a minor role for the Americans, remaining behind their European allies", analyzes Federico Santopinto, research director at the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (Iris), responsible for the Europe program.

With AFP and Reuters

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