Munich, 13 February 2026 (dpa/MIA) - The threat posed by US President Donald Trump to long-standing alliances and norms will loom large as world leaders and senior security officials gather for the opening of the Munich Security Conference on Friday.

The high-level talks, which run through Sunday, will focus heavily on Ukraine, where Russia's full-scale war enters its fifth year later this month, and on Iran, which Trump has warned could face military strikes if a nuclear deal is not reached soon.

But just over a year into Trump's second term, a deepening rift between the United States and Europe — bound by a web of political, military and economic partnerships — is set to take centre stage.

The annual Munich Security Report set a grim tone ahead of the event, labelling Trump a "demolition man" whose "wrecking-ball politics" are dismantling the post-1945 international order.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will open the conference, considered the premier forum for discussion on security and defence policy. It will be the conservative leader's first appearance at the talks as chancellor.

Merz: 'Europe must be competitive'

Merz said on Thursday evening that he would use his address to push for greater European autonomy.

"Europe must be strong. Europe must be competitive. It must become a dynamic space, and it must become a space that can also defend itself," he said.

US Vice President JD Vance stunned last year's audience with his blistering critique of European leaders, in which he accused them of suppressing free speech and dismissing the opinions of voters on the right.

The 20-minute diatribe was a flashpoint in trans-Atlantic relations, accelerating calls for Europe to become less reliant on Washington for its security.

Vance will not attend this year. Instead, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to speak on Saturday morning.

Whether the US remains committed to Europe's defence and the NATO alliance is expected to dominate both panel discussions and closed-door sideline meetings.

In a notable counter-balance, several of Trump's most prominent Democratic opponents are set to attend.

Among them are California governor and potential presidential candidate Gavin Newsom, left-wing congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Merz-Newsom meeting planned

Merz plans to meet with Newsom while in Munich. When asked by a reporter on Thursday whether this could potentially upset Trump, Merz responded: "I choose the people I want to talk to based on my interests and who I would like to meet, and that's how I decide."

Organizers said more than 60 world leaders are expected to attend - more than ever before. They include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Around 100 foreign and defence ministers are also set to take part, including Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The conference, sometimes dubbed "Davos with guns," is held each February at the luxury Hotel Bayerischer Hof in central Munich. Critics deride it as a gathering of global militarists and usually stage protests on the sidelines.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators are expected to descend on Munich, with some two dozen different protests registered with local authorities.

By far the largest demonstration is expected on Saturday, when opponents of Iran's ruling hardline clerics are set to rally. Organizers said they expect up to 100,000 participants for the event.

Photo: Munich Security Conference