US not trying to dismantle Nato or undermine world order, says ambassador – Europe live

<p>Matthew Whitaker, the US ambassador to Nato, responds to criticism in the Munich Security Conference report</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/09/jimmy-lai-sentencing-china-hong-kong-pro-democracy-businessman">Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison for national security offences</a></p></li></ul><p>In its <a href="https://securityconference.org/en/publications/munich-security-report/2026/europe/">section on Europe</a>, <strong>the Munich Security Conference report</strong> has also <strong>warned that the continent was entering “a prolonged era of confrontation,</strong> as Russia’s full-scale war of aggression and expanding hybrid campaign dismantle the remnants of the post-cold war cooperative security order.”</p><p>It also added that:</p><p><em>“<strong>Washington’s gradual retreat from its traditional role as Europe’s primary security guarantor</strong> – reflected in wavering support for Ukraine and threatening rhetoric on Greenland – <strong>is heightening Europe’s sense of insecurity and exposing its unfinished transition from security consumer to security provider.</strong>”</em></p><p><em>“Analysts widely view these operations as <strong>deliberate efforts by Moscow to probe Europe’s defences, sow division, intimidate publics, and weaken support for Ukraine</strong> by diverting attention toward domestic security.<strong></strong>Europe now faces the challenge of proactively deterring further provocations while avoiding inadvertent escalation.”</em></p><p><em>“<strong>European leaders have long refrained from overt criticism of US policies</strong>. Instead, they have pursued a dual strategy: striving to keep Washington engaged at almost any