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Ursula von der Leyen has presented the bloc as an alternative to NATO as a security guarantor for its members, saying the EU should “bring to life” its mutual defense clause.
The European Commission president said the EU needs to be “collectively prepared” to defend itself and take advantage of a “European awakening” of defense spending in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine and Donald Trump’s questioning of NATO’s transatlantic security relationship.
The announcement underlines the scale of Europe’s rethinking of its approach to security after Trump raised doubts over Washington’s commitment to defending the continent. Last month the US President threatened to attack the Danish island of Greenland.
“I believe the time has come to bring Europe’s mutual defense block to life,” von der Leyen told the Munich security conference on Saturday. “Mutual defense is not an optional task for the EU. It is an obligation… our collective commitment to stand by each other in the case of aggression. Or in simple terms, one for all and all for one.”
“As they say in Ukraine, you change or you die,” he said. “We should also adopt this mantra.”
Article 42.7 of the Treaty on the European Union requires other member states to provide “assistance and assistance by all means in their power” if “a member state is the victim of an armed attack on its territory”.
Since almost all EU member states are members of NATO, it has never been considered an important part of their defense strategy. It has been launched only once by France, after the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks.
Asked by reporters about von der Leyen’s comments, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said, “There is a clear division of labor (with the EU).” “Nobody wants to copy structures,” Rutte said. “We completely agree on how to make the relationship (with the EU) as strong as possible.”
Von der Leyen described Europe’s disregard for its own security as an “uncomfortable truth” that has now “fundamentally changed”.
“Europe needs to step up and take responsibility,” he said.
“Of course, this has required some shock therapy and some limits have been crossed that can no longer be crossed,” he said. “The European way of life, our democratic foundations and the trust of our citizens are being challenged in new ways. On everything from territories to tariffs and technical regulations.”
Von der Leyen also said the EU needed to “formalize the start of new security cooperation” with countries including the UK, Norway, Iceland and Canada, work in defense alliances that may not include all 27 members of the bloc, and develop military capabilities.
He said, “We must develop a European backbone of strategic enablers: in space, intelligence and deep strike capabilities. No taboo can go unchallenged.” “We must collectively be prepared.”
