Amid rapid political and security transformations, the 61st Munich Security Conference in 2025 emerges as one of the most important international forums for discussing pressing global issues. This edition witnessed the participation of world leaders and a distinguished group of decision-makers, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. The war in Ukraine dominated the discussions on global tensions. Leaders had differing views on how to resolve the Ukrainian crisis; while Chancellor Scholz expressed clear support for Ukraine, emphasizing the need for strengthened European and international unity against increasing challenges, Vance highlighted internal value-based challenges facing Europe, viewing them as significant threats to European security.
Context of Crises
Key features and dimensions contribute to the context surrounding the conference:
Continued Escalation of the Ukrainian Crisis: The 61st Munich Security Conference took place amid ongoing escalation surrounding the Ukrainian crisis, with Russia continuing its military operations, prompting Ukraine to intensify its calls for more military and financial support from Western allies. During the conference, President Zelensky called for the formation of a “Unified European Army,” asserting that addressing Russian threats necessitates a collective response that transcends national borders. Reports indicate that the value of military assistance provided to Ukraine by Western nations reached nearly $50 billion in 2024. These calls for support extended beyond military aid to include plans for enhancing European energy security severely affected by disruptions to Russian gas supplies.
Interconnected Security and Economic Crises in Europe: The conference coincided with severe economic crises faced by many European nations due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. By the end of 2024, inflation in the Eurozone reached 6.5%, while energy prices skyrocketed by over 30% compared to the previous year. These crises directly impacted security plans, with governments under increasing public pressure to balance defense spending with support for their national economies. In his speech, Chancellor Scholz emphasized the necessity of investing in collective defense capabilities while maintaining the stability of European economies, reflecting the urgency of economic considerations.
Tensions Between the United States and Europe: The conference occurred amid notable tensions between European and American leaders, reflected in Vice President Vance’s sharp criticisms of European leaders, describing their response to the crisis as slow and uncoordinated, causing discomfort among the attending European leaders. This discourse reflects the growing rifts among Western allies regarding global crisis management and President Trump’s views, who sees significant shortcomings in European contributions to the continent’s security, necessitating a redistribution of burdens between Washington and its European allies. Reports suggested that one of the conference’s side aims was to ease these tensions and seek common understandings to address upcoming challenges.
Global Repercussions of Explosions in the Middle East: At the Munich Security Conference 2025, the Middle East was strongly present on the agenda due to multiple crises threatening the region’s stability and its implications for global security, particularly the crisis in Gaza, which carries severe humanitarian repercussions and recurring tensions threatening further escalation. Additionally, the Iranian nuclear file remains closely linked to the context of the conference, especially with warnings of rising tensions if negotiations remain stagnant, including the possibility of reinstating sanctions on Iran. Tensions in the Arabian Gulf were also discussed, particularly concerning maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil exports pass, prompting the G7 to affirm the importance of international cooperation to address these crises through a statement issued during the conference.
Growing Importance of the African Dimension in Global Security: Within the broader discussions at the Munich Security Conference 2025, regional security issues in Africa received significant attention; the rise in armed conflicts and terrorist threats presents an increasing challenge in several countries across the continent. Participants emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between Europe and Africa to tackle these shared challenges, focusing on hotspots like the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. Reports indicate that terrorist attacks in the Sahel region surged by 30% over the past year, threatening the stability of the entire region. In this context, the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso stressed the need for greater international support to strengthen local security capabilities and combat armed groups.
Rise of Cybersecurity Threats: Cybersecurity issues formed a central theme at the Munich Conference 2025, given the increasing number of cyberattacks associated with political conflicts. According to estimates, there was a 40% rise in cyberattacks against critical infrastructure in Europe in 2024. These threats prompted leaders to discuss new strategies for strengthening cybersecurity through collaborative efforts between governments and the private sector. A notable proposal was the establishment of a “European Cyber Emergency Team” to respond to cyberattacks in a timely and coordinated manner.
Key Outcomes
The current edition of the Munich Security Conference revealed significant global transformations through its outcomes and discussions, including:
Indicators of the End of Traditional European Security: The conference explicitly announced the end of the traditional European security system that has prevailed since World War II; Europe can no longer automatically rely on the United States for its protection, despite continued U.S. membership in NATO. Amid escalating threats, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth urged European nations from NATO Headquarters in Brussels to significantly increase their defense spending, asserting that the primary burden of supporting Ukraine now rests on Europe.
Revealing Shifts in U.S. Policy Regarding Ukraine: The conference reflected a significant shift in the U.S. position on Ukraine, as Washington and Moscow prepare to hold peace talks in Saudi Arabia without Kyiv or European leaders’ participation. This move, following a phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, raises concerns about the prospect of a settlement being imposed on Ukraine without its consent, which President Zelensky firmly rejected, asserting that any agreement excluding Ukraine would not be legitimate.
Confirmation of the Need to Increase European Defense Spending: Conference participants agreed on the necessity to raise defense budgets in Europe to counter increasing Russian threats; European assistance to Ukraine has already surpassed American aid, with Europe providing €70 billion in financial and humanitarian aid, alongside €62 billion in military assistance. Conversely, figures like Donald Trump called for raising the minimum spending requirement for NATO member countries to 5% of GDP, a demand facing substantial economic and political challenges.
Emphasis on the Importance of Restoring Stability in the Middle East: On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference 2025, intensive talks and meetings addressed urgent Middle Eastern issues; G7 foreign ministers gathered to discuss the situations in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing peace and stability in the region. Ministers expressed their support for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, stressing the importance of fully implementing its terms, including the release of all hostages and expanding humanitarian aid in Gaza. They welcomed the outcomes of the international conference on Syria hosted by France on February 13, 2025, reaffirming their joint commitment to the Syrian people and supporting an inclusive political transition in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Additionally, participating foreign ministers held separate meetings to convey differing views on resolving the situation in the Middle East, including Egyptian, Jordanian, Turkish, and Saudi foreign ministers, coinciding with increasing U.S. proposals regarding the displacement of Gaza’s population.
Advancing the Counter-Terrorism Agenda in the Middle East: On the conference sidelines, Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, held a series of meetings with international leaders and officials, highlighting the region’s role as a key player. Barzani discussed security challenges, particularly regarding counter-terrorism, underscoring the importance of international cooperation to support stability in Kurdistan and Iraq as a whole, and addressed the Syrian file, calling for the inclusion of all components in the governance process to achieve peace and stability in Syria.
Discussing the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Global Security: The Munich Security Conference 2025 explored the increasing impact of artificial intelligence on global security. Leaders highlighted the potential risks of its military and cyber applications. Experts warned that non-democratic states, like China and Russia, are heavily investing in the development of AI technologies to enhance surveillance and suppress dissent, as seen with China’s “social credit system” used to monitor citizens and assess their behavior. Concerns were also raised about the potential use of AI in cyberattacks, such as the incident involving advanced AI infiltrating American critical infrastructure in 2023. The conference recommended enhancing international cooperation to establish regulatory frameworks governing the use of AI in security contexts, similar to the UN-led efforts to develop ethical and technical standards for employing AI in military operations.
Enhancing Security Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific Region: The conference witnessed increased interest in expanding security partnerships between Europe and Indo-Pacific nations, especially given escalating tensions in the South China Sea and fears regarding rising Chinese influence in the region. Discussions were held about the potential establishment of new defense alliances, such as the EU-India partnership in maritime security aimed at ensuring trade routes in the Indian Ocean from potential threats, including piracy and cyberattacks. This shift reflects a growing awareness that security threats are no longer confined to Europe but extend to other regions needing more effective security coordination.
Attention to the Implications of the Energy Crisis and Climate Change: The energy crisis prominently featured in the discussions at the Munich Conference 2025 in light of the ongoing impacts of the Russian-Ukrainian war on gas and oil supplies. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the importance of accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Estimates indicate that Europe will increase its investments in renewable energy by 25% over the next two years, reflecting a gradual shift toward sustainable strategies aimed at protecting the climate and enhancing economic and security independence.
Consequently, there was a focus on boosting investments in renewable energy, such as the electricity interconnection project between Morocco and Europe, targeting the export of solar energy from North Africa to Europe. Furthermore, opportunities for cooperation between Europe and Middle Eastern nations in the clean energy sector were discussed, including hydrogen energy agreements Germany has signed with Gulf states to ensure long-term energy security and decrease reliance on traditional fossil fuels.
Conclusion
The Munich Security Conference 2025 concluded with a general consensus that the world faces a new phase of geopolitical upheavals and increasing security challenges, characterized by intense discussions on the war in Ukraine, the future of European security, and shifts in transatlantic relations. The conference revealed growing doubts about the United States’ commitment to defending Europe, prompting European leaders to reassess their defense strategies and consider increasing military spending. Additionally, discussions highlighted the need to strengthen security alliances with Asia-Pacific nations to counter rising Chinese influence while also emphasizing the necessity of viewing European security in a geographical context that extends beyond the Mediterranean, necessitating attention to the Middle East’s security and chronic crises.
