00:00EU top diplomat Kaya Kalas pushed back against U.S. criticism on Sunday as the Munich Security Conference came to
00:06a close.
00:07Kalas dismissed claims made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who insisted that Europe must defend its civilization.
00:14Contrary to what some may say, woke, decadent Europe is not facing civilizational erasure.
00:22In fact, people still want to join our club, and not just fellow Europeans.
00:28Over 40% of Canadians have an interest in joining the European Union, so the waiting list is quite long.
00:36Kalas acknowledged that while the two powers are intertwined, they clearly do not see eye to eye on all issues.
00:43She urged the European nations to reclaim their agency and take the lead on their own defense in the face
00:49of an aggressive Russia.
00:51Kalas insisted that Russia is broken rather than a superpower,
00:55warning that the greatest threat is Moscow gaining more at the negotiating table than it did on the battlefield.
01:01Let's be clear-eyed about Russia.
01:04Russia is no superpower.
01:06After more than a decade of a conflict, including four years of full-scale war in Ukraine,
01:12Russia has barely advanced beyond the 2014 lines.
01:25She called for strict concessions, including capping the size of Russia's military and ensuring it pays for war damages.
01:37U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that Washington does not want vassals in Europe,
01:43but allies to work with on joint issues.
01:46The comments were made as he kick-started his tour of Central Europe in Bratislava,
01:51where he met with Prime Minister Robert Fizzo to bolster ties with Trump allies in the region.
01:56The top U.S. diplomat said the Trump administration wants a stronger Europe,
02:01which in turn will create a stronger NATO, capable of effectively deterring threats.
02:07Fizzo denounced EU support for Ukraine as he spoke in a joint press conference,
02:11saying it only prolongs the war and increases the death toll.
02:15He also slammed Brussels' initiative of completely halting the transit of Russian energy in Europe in 2027,
02:22saying it carries disastrous consequences for his country and others.
02:25The pair also discussed bilateral relations, as well as a possible nuclear deal,
02:31with Slovakia interested in importing reactors from the U.S. in a deal worth between 13 to 15 billion euros.
02:39Rubio is set to visit Budapest next on Monday,
02:42where he will meet with Viktor Orban to hold talks aimed at expanding U.S.-Hungary relations.
02:47The visit comes at a crucial time, just weeks ahead of the country's general election,
02:52where U.S. President Donald Trump has already endorsed Orban, touting him as a strong leader.
03:01The world's top two men's tennis players are set to clash in Doha this week.
03:05The Qatar Open is just one of two ATP Tour events held in the Middle East,
03:09and after being voted the 2025 ATP 500 Tournament of the Year by the players,
03:14it's quickly become a favorite stop on the calendar.
03:16With more than 2.3 million euros in prize money on the line,
03:21world number one Carlos Alcaraz leads a stacked field of top 10 talent.
03:25The 22-year-old Spaniard says he has a clear plan heading into the week.
03:29A lot of players I know that they're trying to catch me up in terms of they're studying my game,
03:38they're studying how I play, trying to beat me, trying to, you know, challenge me.
03:44And I have to be ready for them, and I have to see, you know, where my level is,
03:49where my tennis is, and trying to put myself in their minds
03:54and think what they would do with playing against me.
03:59World number two Yannick Sinner also hopes to lift the trophy here in Doha.
04:03The 24-year-old Italian spoke to Euronews about returning to a city
04:06that holds special memories for him.
04:08I do remember I was here some years ago because of a junior tournament,
04:16so I have great memories in a way, and I'm looking forward to it.
04:20You know, you have small feedbacks from training sessions.
04:24Of course, you need to play matches, trying to understand what works best,
04:30so let's see what's coming.
04:31World number three and two-time Doha champion Novak Djokovic
04:34has withdrawn from the tournament, citing fatigue.
04:36His absence leaves the spotlight squarely on the game's new generation
04:40and sets the stage for a week of world-class tennis in the Qatari capital.
04:44Adil Halim, Euronews, Doha.
Comments