Munich Siko: Joe Biden shoots in a historical speech against Russia - Merkel makes an offer to the Bundeswehr

G7 meeting and Siko in one day: In terms of world politics, there was a lot to do on Friday.

Joe Biden gave a historic speech - Angela Merkel was more sober.

• In the afternoon, the heads of the G7 met for a virtual summit and talked about the corona pandemic.

• A "special edition" of the Munich Security Conference * with many familiar faces follows shortly afterwards.

• The speech by US President Biden * was extremely committed (

  updates from 5:20 p.m.

  ).

  Chancellor Merkel * emphasized the importance of vaccinations all over the world (

  update 5.45 p.m.

  ).

• This news ticker is updated regularly.

Update from February 19, 7.20 p.m.:

The virtual Munich security conference ended with Johnson's speech.

The overarching theme of the top-class cast was a return to international cooperation after the Donald Trump era - practically all speakers also emphasized climate protection as an important security issue.

The focal point of the event was undoubtedly the first programmatic speech by the new US President Joe Biden on the international stage.

Biden assured Europe of the friendship of the United States after the difficult Trump years and emphasized the importance of democracy.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was brought into the program at short notice, also emphasized the latter point.

A recurring topic was the need for corona vaccinations all over the world - including in the global south and not only in the industrialized countries.

Macron probably saw this as a lever * against China's growing power.

There were almost no discrepancies: Chancellor Angela Merkel and Johnson immediately responded to Biden's request to increase the defense budget, hidden in a subordinate clause - with conciliatory signals - whereby Merkel was not a sudden increase in the defense budget, but a willingness to (prolonged) military missions in Afghanistan and Had Africa in his luggage.

Like Merkel, Biden named Russia and China as opponents at international level.

Biden in particular also emphasized the need for cooperation.

At this point, the western nations should continue to have a balancing act *.

Munich Security Conference: Johnson counts on “green reconstruction” - and praises Brexit

Update from February 19, 7:08 p.m.:

The last speaker of the evening is Great Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was invited at short notice.

The doom and gloom of the past few years was premature, explains Johnson.

With Joe Biden, the USA is back on the way to international cooperation.

Great Britain also wants to make its contribution.

The aim of the British G7 presidency is to "rebuild everything greener" after the corona pandemic.

If there is something positive to be gained from the corona crisis, then it is the possibility of bringing about global recovery - without destroying the earth.

Johnson also promises to further expand defense spending, making it NATO's second largest budget.

One is proceeding with sanctions against human rights violations, for example in the case of Russia or Belarus.

The citizens of Hong Kong have been offered British citizenship.

After leaving the EU, the British parliament could act even more decisively, explains Johnson.

Siko in Munich: Biden's special envoy calls for climate action - NATO Secretary General warns against Russia and China

Update from February 19, 6:50 p.m.:

Joe Biden's special envoy for climate change, John Kerry, is the penultimate speaker of the Siko evening.

This item on the program can also be seen as a demonstrative sign of the break with the Trump era - Trump had repeatedly negated climate change, Biden declared the topic to be a top priority.

Climate change is also a security issue, Kerry says.

It is about energy or food security, but also specifically about physical security.

Therefore countermeasures have to be taken.

The world has recently wasted time - that is partly also the fault of Trump, emphasizes the politician of the US Democrats.

“What are we going to do from now on, by 2030, we have to talk about it,” he demands.

Update from February 19, 6.30 p.m.:

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks in his speech of a “historic opportunity” to strengthen the alliance in view of the change in power in the USA.

He calls for a fairer “burden sharing”.

At the same time, a broader concept of security is needed.

“Of course we need strong armed forces so that we can protect our people, but we also need strong societies,” says Stoltenberg.

He mentions secure communication channels via 5G or underwater cables as specific goals.

But NATO also has to deal with the effects of climate change.

"China and Russia are trying to rewrite the rules to serve their own interests," emphasizes Stoltenberg.

The rise of China in particular could have an impact, which is why it is important to strengthen relationships with Japan or Australia, for example.

NATO must defend its rules, including internally, for example by protecting their democracies.

Munich Security Conference: Biden says goodbye to Trump era - Merkel makes a specific Bundeswehr offer

Update from February 19, 6.15 p.m.:

With the three speeches by Joe Biden, Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron, the climax of the virtual Munich security conference has already taken place.

The most eye-catching speech was a committed speech by the new US president - who tried to ensure full support for European allies.

"We will stand by your side," assured Biden (

update from 5:33 pm

), thereby underlining the departure from the course of his predecessor Donald Trump.

Biden also emphasized the power and importance of democracy in the 21st century.

He only marginally criticized European defense spending.

Biden addressed more explicit words to Russia (

update from 5.30 p.m.

).

Emmanuel Macron also tried to deliver a powerful speech.

He spoke out in favor of more responsibility and strategic freedom for Europe in NATO and also emphasized the importance of vaccination support, for example for the countries of Africa.

Angela Merkel had put this point high on the agenda.

She also assured Biden further efforts to increase the defense budget of the Federal Republic (

update from 5.42 p.m.

) and offered a longer engagement in Afghanistan.

The Chancellor, however, was much more sober than Macron and Biden - she delivered a decidedly factual speech.

During these minutes, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asks questions at the security conference.

Siko in Munich: Macron calls for more responsibility for Europe in NATO

Update from February 19, 6:03 p.m.:

Macron once again calls for greater responsibility and greater strategic freedoms for Europe in NATO - this will make the alliance stronger.

At the same time, however, NATO also needs a clarification of its concepts.

Update from February 19, 5:52 p.m.:

Emmanuel Macron is now connected in Paris' turn.

The French President stressed that solutions were needed for “inequality with neighbors”.

That is France's agenda for Africa, for example.

Macron adds that it must be made possible for all countries to have access to vaccinations.

In Africa alone, 13 million vaccine doses are needed to protect health care workers.

"That's something we have to do right now."

Macron mentions the development of a common security agenda as a further focus.

Three points must be dealt with together: A security concept for NATO, including a dialogue with Russia, a concept for regional conflicts, for example in the Sahel zone, Iran and Libya, and finally the protection of the “freedom of sovereignty”: Also he warns that cyber and space are future areas of conflict.

Merkel speaks at Munich online Siko: Chancellor wants to "deliver" - to defeat Corona only on one condition

Update from February 19, 5.45 p.m.:

Angela Merkel speaks in her speech about a stronger engagement in Africa: She is thinking of an "Article VII mandate" in the local fight against Islamist terror - a UN mission, possibly even with a “robust mandate”.

The Chancellor is also considering a joint "Russia agenda" with the USA.

Germany is ready for a new chapter in the transatlantic partnership.

+

Angela Merkel on Friday during the Munich Security Conference - Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron on the monitor.

© Guido Bergmann / dpa

Update from February 19, 5.42 p.m.:

Now Chancellor Angela Merkel takes the floor in Berlin.

She again emphasizes the importance of corona vaccinations all over the world - this is the only way to defeat the virus.

There are similar global challenges with climate, species protection and the fight against terrorism.

“We will only be able to achieve all of this if we bundle our strengths in all areas,” says Merkel.

“I can only support the fact that it is up to the democratic countries not only to speak about freedom and values, but also to deliver results,” emphasized the Chancellor.

For Germany, this means continuing its commitment in all areas, including where you have to make an effort.

The Federal Republic is making progress on NATO's “two percent target”, assures Merkel, referring to the only concrete criticism in Biden's speech.

Germany is also ready to stay longer in Afghanistan if it serves the success of the mission.

Biden gives historical speech at Munich Siko - turning away from Trumpism: "We will stand by your side"

Update from February 19, 5:33 p.m .:

"I am grateful for Europe's leadership in the past four years," says Biden, referring to the climate crisis.

"We need transparency, we need communication," he added US President;

He refers, among other things, to the nuclear arsenals of the USA and Russia: "There are so many challenges that the USA and Europe have to tackle together." But a lot can be achieved together - Biden also cites NASA's most recent Mars mission as an example .

"We can travel to Mars and back together - and if that works, you can't tell me that we can't do anything else," emphasizes the US President.

“We will stand by their side,” says Biden.

"Let's prove to our grandchildren that democracy works."

+

Joe Biden in the White House - the US President was virtually connected to the Munich Security Conference.

© ALMOND NGAN / AFP

Update from February 19, 5:30 p.m.:

Biden continues with a verbal attack on Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin.

The Russian leadership wants the world to believe that the Western states are more corrupt, or at least as corrupt as Russia, says Biden.

But the world knows "that this is not true".

"The challenge that Russia presents is different from that of China, but it is still real," Biden emphasizes.

Nevertheless, the Cold War era is over.

Cooperation is necessary despite all the difficulties, for example in combating the corona pandemic.

Biden gives historic speech at the Munich Security Conference: Clear rejection of Trump's course

Update from February 19, 5:25 p.m .:

"We have to show that democracy can still deliver," emphasized the US President in his Siko speech.

"We have to prove that our democracy is not a relic of history." But in cooperation, every challenge and every opponent can be defeated.

"The competition with China will become intense, and I am waiting for that too, because I believe in the global system that we have built together." At the same time, however, cooperation with China is also necessary * - and the benefits of progress must reach everyone and not only a few.

Update from February 19, 5:24 pm:

"I know that the past few years have put our transatlantic relations to the test," says Biden.

The USA are determined to restore the good connections.

The corona and climate crisis also called for multilateral cooperation.

The US must defend its values ​​domestically - and around the world, Biden stresses;

a clear rejection of Trump's course.

In the United States, democratic progress is "under attack," says Biden.

The world is at a crossroads.

Biden speaks at Munich Siko: US President assures Europe friendship and support

Update from February 19, 5:20 p.m .:

Joe Biden makes the start.

“I just keep my word,” he says, looking at his announcement at Siko 2019 that he will return.

"We don't look back any more, we look into the future together," says Biden - probably with a view to his predecessor Donald Trump.

The partnership between the USA and Europe is the cornerstone of everything that one hopes to achieve in the 21st century.

"If there are any doubts here, I would like to dispel: The USA will work very closely with Europe." A Europe united in peace is a central goal of the United States.

He stands behind NATO and its values.

However, Biden is also calling for higher defense spending at the same time - for a long time a controversial topic, especially in relation to Germany.

Update from February 19, 5:15 p.m.:

The climax of the short Munich security conference is approaching: US President Joe Biden, Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron are now simultaneously on the screen in the Bayerischer Hof.

Siko in Munich: WHO chief appeals to rich countries - undesirable developments in the health system?

Update from February 19, 5.10 p.m.:

The WHO chief makes another appeal to the developed countries: Everywhere the state of the public health systems is decisive - even in the rich countries there have recently been some failures.

Ghebreyesus also warns of an "infodemic", which in terms of danger is equivalent to the actual corona pandemic.

Transparency, especially on the part of the government, is crucial in order to combat misinformation.

Update from February 19, 4:55 p.m.:

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urges - switched from Geneva to the Bayerischer Hof - also on rapid progress in the global vaccination program.

"Vaccine equity is not only important, it is also sensible," says the Secretary General of the World Health Organization.

So far, vaccines are a limited resource, so they have to be used efficiently.

That means the use of vaccines in all countries and for vulnerable groups.

"Today the whole world is being held hostage by this virus," says Ghebreyesus, saying that health is necessary for the whole world.

“If we look inward instead of outward,” he warns, Corona could spread.

The world is so closely connected that it seems like a small village.

That is why cooperation and collaboration are mandatory.

G7 summit: Merkel talks about results - "The pandemic is only defeated when everyone has been vaccinated"

Update from February 19, 4:43 p.m.:

When asked by a journalist, Merkel declares that she will campaign for “new momentum in the negotiations” on the nuclear deal with Iran *.

"We have to make sure that there is no problem 'who takes the first step'", she says.

A diplomatic balancing act is imminent.

With a view to the international Covax vaccination program, it is important that not only money but also vaccine arrive.

It could also play a role what Germany and other countries could give out of their vaccine doses.

"However, it is also important that we are committed to our own citizens," said the Chancellor.

Here, too, a weighing up is necessary.

+

Chancellor Angela Merkel in her statement after the G7 summit.

© Annegret Hilse / AFP

Update from February 19, 4:39 p.m.:

Chancellor Angela Merkel is now speaking in Berlin about the results of the G7 summit.

Germany is one of the largest donors for the global vaccination campaign, she emphasizes.

The pandemic will only be defeated when everyone in the world has been vaccinated - by then, mutations and a weakening of the vaccines threatened.

"Everyone has to participate," says Merkel.

The Chancellor also emphasized that the reconstruction after the crisis is about a globally fair result.

Update from February 19, 4:35 p.m.:

In the next

item on the

program, Microsoft founder and vaccination promoter Bill Gates speaks.

He calls for further investment in vaccine research: “A few billion dollars or euros just to ensure that something like this never happens to us again.” After the end of the corona pandemic, production facilities for mRNA vaccines could also be used for the Prevention against other diseases can be used, Gates emphasizes.

Security conference in Munich 2021: UN Secretary General urges vaccination aid for financially weaker countries

Update from February 19, 4:21 p.m.:

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is the first speaker.

He calls for a global vaccination plan in the Corona crisis - specifically, for example, money for the Covax vaccination program and larger global production capacities through shared knowledge.

He names climate change as a second priority - there is definitely "cause for hope".

Guterres warns that geopolitical tensions have to be reduced, and a rift between the blocks in the world could also become a "geostrategic or military rift".

Fourth, structures are needed to manage globalization fairly.

The G7 had already promised further funds for the global vaccination campaign in the morning.

US President Joe Biden pledged up to $ 4 billion.

The federal government is providing 1.5 billion euros.

According to a report by the dpa, another 500 million euros will come from the European Union for the distribution of vaccines.

The Covax program needs $ 6.8 billion this year to meet its goal of vaccinating around 20 percent of the population in developing countries with 1.3 billion doses.

Munich Siko: Söder opens "Oasis of Honesty"

Update from February 19, 4:12 p.m .:

Munich's Siko is an “oasis of honesty”, in which “plain language” is spoken, said Söder - thanks to a chat function, bilateral talks between the heads of state can also take place, he reveals.

Söder also appreciates Biden's appearance as a “great signal”.

Update from February 19, 4:08 p.m.:

At the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich, Siko boss Wolfgang Ischinger is meanwhile in the mood for the evening.

The security in international politics has recently dwindled, he says.

However, they also want to look at the positive aspects - and explore perspectives with the high-ranking guests.

With his “return” to Munich, US President Joe Biden kept a promise and chose Siko as the location for his first major international speech, he stressed.

"Without Munich and without Bavaria there can be no Munich security conference," says Ischinger - and gives Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) the floor.

Update from February 19, 4 p.m.:

The Munich Security Conference will begin in these minutes - Chancellor Angela Merkel is supposed to report from the G7 summit at a press conference almost at the same time.

Merkel's appearance is delayed, however.

Munich Siko 2021: Event director Ischinger does not expect a China cuddle course

Update from February 19, 3:30 p.m.:

The Corona edition of the Munich Security Conference starts in around half an hour - even if only virtual.

Siko boss Wolfgang Ischinger has dampened expectations of all too violent U-turns in US foreign policy under Joe Biden - at least with a view to China.

"We must not expect that there will now be a kind of American cuddle course towards China," Ischinger told Deutschlandfunk on Friday in the run-up to the conference.

He justified this with the fact that both chambers of the US Congress, independent of parties, have long been calling for a tougher course against China.

Ischinger assumes that China, alongside Russia and NATO, will have "a very high priority on the transatlantic agenda".

The security expert also sees an urgent need for cooperation with China.

Closer cooperation, for example, in climate protection or in the field of innovation and technology is important.

Munich Siko and G7 summit: Biden wants to repair Trump's floor damage - Merkel and Söder also speak

+

Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) receives the then US Vice President Joe Biden in the Chancellery.

© picture alliance / dpa

First report from February 19:

Berlin / Munich - This Friday (February 19) is a very important day for international exchange.

First a virtual G7 summit, then a lot of political celebrities meet at a kind of special edition of the Munich Security Conference.

The meeting of the heads of state and government of the seven leading industrial nations (G7) will primarily focus on the development and distribution of corona vaccines *.

The host, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, called for vaccine production to be accelerated.

It was an unprecedented global achievement to develop a corona vaccine within around 300 days.

The aim is to only need 100 days in the future, announced the British government.

"The development of viable coronavirus vaccines offers the enticing prospect of a return to normal, but we cannot rest on our laurels," said Johnson.

"As heads of state and government of the G7 we have to say: never again." Johnson also called on the G7 to increase its financial support for the Covax vaccination initiative for the benefit of poor countries.

US President Joe Biden, who will be attending the meeting for the first time, plans to provide up to four billion US dollars for this purpose.

The White House * announced on Thursday (local time) that it would initially pledge two billion dollars at the summit.

The US government wants to release another two billion dollars over a period of two years if other donors had also fulfilled their commitments.

Virtual G7 summit: global fight against the corona pandemic

Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller (CSU) * set the goal of vaccinating at least 20 percent of the population in developing countries against the coronavirus by the end of the year.

"At the moment a total of 27 billion euros are missing," he told the newspapers of the

Funke media group

.

"This is unacceptable.

A global vaccination campaign must not fail because of money. ”Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) * will promise“ a considerable increase in funds ”for Covax at the summit.

Afterwards Merkel wants to give a short press conference at 4 p.m.

The G7 includes Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the USA and Canada.

A personal meeting of the G7 leaders is currently planned for another meeting from June 11th to 13th in Carbis Bay on the Cornwall coast.

Munich Security Conference: Top-class guest list - focus on the relationship between the USA and Europe

In the afternoon, some of the G7 members then gather at the virtual Munich security conference.

Mind you: The organizers officially refer to the conference on February 19th as "MSC Special Edition 2021", a television production.

It should be the start of the “Road to Munich 2021”, during which further events and background discussions are planned.

"The 57th Munich Security Conference will take place later in 2021," says the website - depending on the pandemic.

The focus of the conference will be the new beginning in the relationship between the USA and its European partners, which had plummeted to a low point under Biden's predecessor Donald Trump *.

The transatlantic coordinator of the federal government, Peter Beyer (CDU), told the

Rheinische Post

that he expected Biden to provide concrete statements on cooperation with the EU.

"A close Western alliance that goes far beyond the cooperation of the Obama years would be ideal."

A message that not only Europeans should have been happy on Friday morning: After the exit under Trump *, the US is now officially part of the Paris climate agreement again.

At dawn on the US east coast, the United States returned to the historic treaty of 2015, according to the UN.

"MSC Special Edition 2021": Biden speaks for the first time as US President

The conference will be moderated by ARD correspondent Natalie Amiri and the chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger.

The guest list is top-class.

A US President * spoke to Biden for the first time at the security conference founded 58 years ago.

As Senator and Vice President, however, he has already been there several times - most recently in 2019. At that time, with a view to US politics under Trump, he promised: “That too will pass.

We come back."

Munich Security Conference program "Special Edition 2021"

4 p.m .:

Welcome, including with Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder

4.15 p.m.:

UN Secretary General António Guterres

4.35 p.m.:

Microsoft founder Bill Gates and WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

5.15 p.m.:

US President Joe Biden, Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron

6 p.m .:

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President Charles Michel, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

6.45 p.m.:

John Kerry, US President's special envoy for the climate

7 p.m .:

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson

You can read all the important information about the G7 summit and the Munich Security Conference in this ticker - you will also find a live stream of the BR here.

(cibo / dpa) * Merkur.de is part of the Ippen digital network.

List of rubric lists: © Guido Bergmann / dpa