{
  "id": 12820213,
  "title": "US wants a 'strong Europe': Rubio",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/us-wants-a-strong-europe-rubio",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T07:55:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40443263/us-wants-a-strong-europe-rubio"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of strong allies in Europe during his final stop in Portugal on a four-day European tour. Speaking at Athens airport, Rubio stated, \"We want our allies to be strong. The stronger they are, the stronger we are collectively...We want a strong Europe. We want strong partners in Europe.\" He addressed the need for NATO members to bolster their societal, economic, and military strength, highlighting that \"the stronger the individual members of (NATO) are, both societally, economically, and militarily, the stronger NATO is.\"\n\nDuring his visit to Greece, Rubio engaged in discussions on energy, defense, and cultural matters, signing a joint agreement aimed at information-sharing on drug trafficking and terrorism. In a passionate speech near the Acropolis, Rubio challenged Europe to move past its \"long slumber,\" warning that Western civilization now stands at a \"crossroads\" between national power and decline.\n\nThe US secretary of state kicked off his European journey in Iceland on Monday, advocating for increased US influence in the Arctic region following the signing of a Greenland pact. On Tuesday, Rubio highlighted Iceland's role as a vital outpost for monitoring clandestine activities and deterring adversaries. He acknowledged that the Trump administration has long advocated for NATO members to increase defense spending and assume greater responsibility for their own security. At a summit in The Hague earlier this year, alliance members pledged to invest 5 percent of GDP annually in defense by 2035.\n\nRubio praised the strides made by some countries in bolstering their defense capabilities, noting that \"the Germans who are stepping up and doing their part to be stronger.\" He recognized the domestic pressures faced by certain nations but expressed confidence that these countries would eventually rise to meet the challenge. Rubio's itinerary includes addressing potential conflicts of interest involving US Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, a topic that has recently drawn attention from US media. Several Democrats have accused Guilfoyle, a former fiancee of Trump's son, Donald Jr, of promoting the interests of a Greek construction and energy company during official diplomatic engagements, as well as allowing a registered lobbyist for that company to participate in meetings with senior US officials. Rubio declined to comment on this matter but reaffirmed his support for the former Fox News presenter.",
  "summary": "ATHENS: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday said Washington wanted strong allies in Europe as he headed to Portugal for the last leg of a four-day European trip. “We want our allies to be strong. The stronger they are, the stronger we are collectively…We want a strong Europe. We want strong partners in Europe,” Rubio told reporters at Athens airport. “The stronger the individual members…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}