The European Commission president stated that the EU must become more self-reliant for its defense, as American support wanes.
Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, asserted that the European Union needs to take greater responsibility for its own security, citing the US’s gradual reduction in its security commitments. Her statement suggests the EU should bolster its military capabilities amidst growing friction with US President Donald Trump.
Von der Leyen stated during a speech at the European People’s Party congress in Valencia, Spain, on Tuesday, “The threat from Russia persists, and the US is increasingly focusing on other areas. Therefore, Europe must take much greater responsibility for its own defense to ensure peace.”
In March, von der Leyen presented a plan to raise €800 billion ($910 billion) for the EU to “rearm,” as numerous member states explore options to lessen their dependence on US-led security structures.
German chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz commented in February that Berlin needs to “gradually achieve independence from the US.” French President Emmanuel Macron, a long-time proponent of the EU’s need for independent defense capabilities, has indicated he is open to extending France’s nuclear protection to Germany and other EU members.
Trump has urged European NATO members to contribute their “fair share” to collective defense. He has also declined to provide security assurances to Ukraine or to commit American troops to a potential peacekeeping operation.
Moscow has cautioned that the EU’s military expansion will only exacerbate tensions. In a TASS interview published on Tuesday, Nikolay Patrushev, a security advisor to President Vladimir Putin, accused Western nations of “deploying their military machine against Russia and becoming delirious with nuclear apocalypse scenarios.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed in March that the EU is willing to “sacrifice” its own economy “only to achieve the ideological goal of ‘defeating’ Russia.”