With Europe rallying and locked in a huddle as it faces American leadership on many international fronts and seeking to strengthen its own security mechanisms, Trump's White House has sought to allay fears that it looks to dismantle the long standing defence alliance, which has threatened to also break down NATO into disjointed parts.
During the influential Munich Security Conference, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clearly reaffirmed the strength of the partnership, saying the 'US had no intention of abandoning the alliance with Europe'.
Refuting numerous reports across European outlets, Rubio noted that during a time when headlines claim this is the end of the transatlantic era, 'let me say for all to hear that this is neither our goal nor desire'.
For Americans, he added, home may be in the western hemisphere, 'but we will always remain the children of Europe'.
Speaking just a few days before the 4th anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the US Secretary of state said his country would continue to make every effort towards seeking an end to the conflict.
'This is an obligation that we will never back away from,' he added.
Rubio said Washington remained apprehensive on the Kremlin's real intentions, noting that they would continue to test their honesty.
'It is now impossible for Russia to achieve its initial goals', he stressed, claiming that Russian losses were overwhelming and at least '8 thousand soldiers' a week.
Europe and the US will continue to work together, he reassured European leaders, with common action facilitating 'a rational transatlantic foreign policy', also clarifying that Washington doesn't really want weak allies.
On China, Rubio said it was a source of permanent friction, but did offer a glimmer of compromise. 'We owe it to the world to manage our relations with Beijing,' he said, concluding that the Western line of supply must be free of geopolitical blackmail, securing autonomy.
SOURCE: CNA