Biden's message about the importance of revitalizing alliances and recommitting to defending Europe was well received at the Munich Security Conference, but there was also opposition from French President Emmanuel Macron, who defended the idea of Europe's "strategic autonomy" from the US. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, while praising Biden's decision to cancel troop withdrawals, warned that interests may not always align. Despite differences, the leaders acknowledged the end of the "America First" era and welcomed Biden back. Biden also emphasized the need for a united strategy against disinformation spread by Putin and Xi. Biden emphasized the importance of proving that democracies can still effectively serve their people in the current global environment, stating that it is necessary to show that the democratic model is not outdated. The president, who has attended the Munich conference regularly both as a private citizen and as vice president, delivered his address virtually this year due to the pandemic. A previous closed meeting of the Group of 7 allies, also held virtually, was led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain. The next in-person summit is scheduled for Britain this summer, pending pandemic conditions. While Biden did not mention his predecessor, Donald Trump, he focused on moving away from Trumpism in the United States' foreign policy approach. He praised the return to the Paris climate agreement and a new initiative to engage Iran diplomatically, alongside Britain, France, and Germany. French President Emmanuel Macron participated in an Online G7 meeting in Paris on February 19, 2021. Instead of outlining an agenda, Biden emphasized the foundational principles of the Atlantic alliance and NATO's creation during the Cold War. "Democracy doesn't happen by accident," the president stated. "We must protect it. Make it stronger. Revitalize it." In a clear contrast to Trump, who discussed the possibility of pulling out of NATO and famously refused to acknowledge the United States' responsibilities under Article V of the alliance's charter to defend members under attack, Biden presented the United States as willing to fulfill its role as the cornerstone of the alliance. He assured that the US would uphold its commitment, stating that an attack on one member is an attack on all. However, he also urged Europe to approach challenges differently than during the Cold War, despite facing similar adversaries. Biden emphasized the importance of preparing for long-term strategic competition with China, particularly in areas such as cyberspace, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. He made a case for standing up to Russia, specifically mentioning the SolarWinds attack on federal and corporate computer networks. Biden emphasized the importance of addressing Russian recklessness and hacking to protect collective security. Despite the challenge of retaliating against Russia without escalating the situation, the White House is working on options to make Putin pay for the attack. The focus on Biden's relationship with Macron, who has criticized NATO, also drew interest. Macron believes NATO should function more as a political entity where European members have equal status to the United States and are not dominated by American decision-making. He argues that a more independent and capable Europe would strengthen NATO. Macron suggests that Europe should take more responsibility for its security and increase defense spending to rebalance the trans-Atlantic relationship. However, not all European states share this view as many are hesitant to increase defense spending. Central and Eastern European nations prefer to rely on the United States for security. Macron also proposes engaging in dialogue with Russia to improve NATO's security capabilities. While NATO has expressed willingness to improve relations with Russia, Moscow has shown little interest due to ongoing international sanctions following the Crimea crisis. Macron emphasized the need for Europe to take more responsibility for its own protection, acknowledging that reliance on the United States must decrease. He recognizes that building up a defense arm and increasing technological capacities will take time, but is committed to starting the process now. Angela Merkel was seen putting on her mask after a news conference following a virtual summit with G7 leaders in Berlin on February 19, 2021. Biden plans to strengthen supply chains with Western allies to reduce Chinese influence by proposing a joint project for technology companies in semiconductors and software. German Chancellor Angela Merkel emphasized the challenges of dealing with China, which is both a competitor and a necessary partner for the West. She stated that Russia is constantly involving European Union members in hybrid conflicts, so it is crucial to develop a trans-Atlantic approach towards Russia that offers cooperation while also addressing differences clearly. Biden pledged to donate $4 billion towards speeding up the production and distribution of coronavirus vaccines globally, but there were contrasting approaches during the meeting. Macron emphasized the EU's focus on Africa and called for Western nations to provide 13 million vaccine doses to African governments promptly to protect health workers. He warned that failure to do so could lead African countries to seek vaccines from other sources. Macron stated that vaccine donations would demonstrate a shared commitment to advancing and upholding common values. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, also urged countries and drugmakers to work together to accelerate vaccine production and distribution worldwide, cautioning that leaving some countries behind could set global progress back to square one. Tedros told the Munich conference that ensuring fair distribution of vaccines is not only morally correct, but also the most strategic approach. He emphasized that delaying the vaccination of populations in any country would prolong the pandemic's uncontrolled spread.