On February 14, 2025, a plane carrying U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was forced to return to Washington due to technical problems with the windshield. The incident occurred while Rubio was flying to Munich to attend an annual security conference. After returning to the capital, Rubio transferred to another plane to continue his flight to Germany. However, the delay left it unclear whether he would be able to make it in time for a morning meeting with U.S. delegates and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Munich Security Conference, which takes place from 14 to 16 February 2025 at the Bayerischer Hof, is an important international platform for discussing current issues of global security. This year, the focus is on the prospects for ending the conflict in Ukraine and the presentation of US President Donald Trump's peace plan. US Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the details of the plan.

The conference programme will include discussions on global security challenges, including the future of global governance, financial architecture, democratic sustainability, climate and nuclear security, as well as hybrid threats and the development of artificial intelligence. In the following days, participants will focus on regional conflicts and crises, the future of the transatlantic partnership and Europe’s role in the world.

The conference participants include more than 800 representatives from 110 countries, including over 50 heads of state and government, as well as about 150 ministers and heads of international organizations. The Ukrainian delegation is headed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who will deliver a speech as part of the main program of the forum.

Marco Rubio's delayed arrival could impact his schedule of meetings and talks on the sidelines of the conference. He is expected to attend a meeting of G7 foreign ministers to discuss American foreign policy priorities and Russia's possible return to the GXNUMX, as previously announced by President Trump.

The Munich Security Conference traditionally serves as a platform for informal meetings and discussions among world leaders, diplomats, and experts. Despite the technical difficulties associated with Secretary Rubio’s flight, his participation in the conference is expected to advance U.S. initiatives to resolve international conflicts and strengthen global security.