US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of preserving traditional values among Western nations during a speech in Athens on Thursday, warning that decisions made in the coming decade will shape the West’s global standing for the remainder of the century.

Speaking at the Pnyx, a historic site known as the birthplace of direct democracy, Rubio stressed that the West stands at a critical juncture. “We will either choose to act now or lose the choice to act at all,” he said, framing the moment as a decisive turning point for the region’s future.

Rubio expressed confidence that Europe is beginning to shift toward renewed engagement on defense and international partnerships, describing these developments as signs of a “generational shift” following what he termed a “long slumber.” He cautioned against prioritizing global interests over national ones, referencing Ancient Greek principles to suggest that loyalty to one’s nation and the defense of its interests are both natural and necessary.

The remarks align with a broader posture from the current US administration, which has criticized some European allies for what it perceives as abandoning shared Western values. Last year’s US National Security Strategy raised concerns about Europe’s migration policies and regulatory approaches to big technology companies, warning that these could contribute to “civilisational erasure” and undermine freedoms such as free speech.

In line with this position, US officials have allocated millions of dollars in grants to groups aligned with former President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement in Europe, aiming to strengthen cultural and political ties.

Rubio’s Athens stop marks the second leg of a four-day European tour. The trip began in Iceland, where discussions focused on Arctic security, and will continue to Lisbon, where topics will include defense cooperation, economic collaboration, and technological partnerships.