German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that a deep rift has developed between the United States and Europe. Speaking at the opening of the Munich Security Conference on Friday, he said the rules-based world order no longer exists and that Europe’s freedom is neither secure nor guaranteed in the current era of great power politics. Merz urged Europeans to be ready to make sacrifices, according to a BBC report.

The conference, expected to host around 50 world leaders, will focus on European defense and the future of transatlantic relations. It takes place amid growing doubts about the U.S. commitment to NATO, with many European leaders citing former President Donald Trump’s ambitions regarding Greenland as a breach of trust.

Discussions at the annual gathering also include the Russia-Ukraine war, tensions between the West and China, and a possible Iran-U.S. nuclear deal. Merz reiterated his concern that the previous world order no longer exists and highlighted the widening divide between Europe and the United States, referencing remarks made by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance a year earlier.