US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who traveled to Europe to deliver a keynote speech at the Munich Security Conference, delivered a stark warning about what he called a critical phase and a “new era.”

The US delegation to the crucial summit in Germany is led by the Secretary of State.

This is the first time the United States has participated in a major international forum since President Donald Trump threatened Danish sovereignty by asserting his desire to annex Greenland.

Speaking to reporters before his trip, Rubio was asked if his message to Europeans at this summit would be more conciliatory than last year's.

"The world is changing rapidly," Secretary of State Rubio said in response to the question.

"We are living in a new geopolitical era. This situation is forcing us all to re-examine what that new era looks like and what our role should be."

Days ago, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe to prepare to break free from American dependence. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, for his part, said that relations between countries across the Atlantic were strengthening and that doing so was more important than ever.

The war in Ukraine, tensions with China, and a possible nuclear deal between the US and Iran are expected to be on the agenda at the Munich Security Conference.