EU Commission to launch new intelligence body led by von der Leyen
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (photo: Getty Images)
The European Commission has begun work on creating a new intelligence body that will operate under the direct supervision of President Ursula von der Leyen, according to a report by the Financial Times.
According to the publication, the goal of the new body is to improve coordination and the use of information collected by the national intelligence services of EU member states.
New intelligence body
A new unit will be established within the European Commission's Secretariat-General. It will involve experts from the intelligence structures of EU member states and will focus on joint data collection and analysis to meet the bloc's needs.
According to the publication's sources, the decision was made against the backdrop of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine and statements by US President Donald Trump about a possible reduction of American support for European security. These factors have compelled Brussels to reassess its own security capabilities and initiate the most extensive rearmament program since the end of the Cold War.
"EU member state spy services know a lot. The Commission knows a lot. We need a better way to put all that together and be effective and useful to partners. In intelligence, you need to give something to get something," the publication quotes one European official as saying.
At the same time, representatives of the EU diplomatic service, which oversees the work of the Intelligence and Situation Center (Intcen), oppose this move. They fear duplication of functions and a possible weakening of existing structures.
Brussels is considering establishing a specialized security and intelligence unit within the Secretariat.
The concept is currently under development, with ongoing discussions, and no specific timeline has been established yet. The initiative will be based on the Commission's existing experience and will involve close cooperation with relevant structures of the European External Action Service.
Earlier, Ursula von der Leyen called Putin a predator who is already attacking Europe.
"Putin is a predator. Putin's proxies have been targeting our societies for years with hybrid attacks, with cyber-attacks," von der Leyen said.
We previously reported that NATO members plan to spend over $1.5 trillion on defense in 2025. The alliance countries are expanding their armed forces amid Russia's war against Ukraine and pressure from the United States.
