Ursula von der Leyen wants to create defense alliance with EU if re-elected for second term
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Getty Images)
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has pledged to create "a true European Defence Union" with flagship projects in air and cyber defense over the next five years, should she be re-elected for a second term, citing Reuters.
"Member States will always retain responsibility for their own troops, from doctrine to deployment. But there is a lot Europe can do to support and coordinate efforts to strengthen the defence industrial base, innovation and the (European) single market," von der Leyen said in a document outlining her agenda ahead of a European Parliament vote later today on whether to grant her a new mandate.
The document's focus on defense reflects how this issue has come to the forefront of the European political agenda following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
European leaders have emphasized the need to do more to bolster their own defense, especially given doubts about the extent to which they can rely on protection from the United States if Republican Donald Trump wins the U.S. presidential election in November.
Against this backdrop, the European Commission seeks to play a more significant role in defense policy—a domain traditionally reserved for national governments and NATO.
Von der Leyen confirmed her plan to appoint a European Commissioner for Defense—a new position—and said the Commission would present a "White Paper on the future of European Defence" within the first 100 days of her next mandate. She stated that major EU defense projects "should focus on our biggest common and cross-border threats."
"Working with Member States and in close coordination with NATO, we will propose a number of Defence Projects of Common European Interest starting with a European Air Shield and cyber defence. We will ensure that these major projects are open to all and we will use all of the tools at our disposal – both regulatory and financial – to ensure they are designed, built and deployed on European soil as quickly as possible," she said
However, von der Leyen did not specify how such projects would be financed. She did say that her commission would put forward "proposals for urgent defence investment needs."
NATO and Russia war risks
Both Ukraine and some Western countries acknowledge the possibility of a war between Russia and NATO. Ukraine says that Poland or the Baltic countries could be the Kremlin's next target.
Estonian intelligence believes that Russia is already preparing for the next war, which could begin within 10 years.
In Germany, it is not ruled out that Russia could attack NATO as early as 2029.
