Strengthening European Defense Capabilities
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Europe should enhance its defense capabilities, but this can only be achieved in cooperation with NATO allies. Von der Leyen participated in a panel discussion at the 60th Munich Security Conference in Germany and stated that Europe should invest more in defense.
Von der Leyen stressed the need for Europe to strengthen its defense industrial base and announced that a new defense strategy with this goal would be presented within three weeks. She emphasized the necessity to increase defense spending, also stating that the production of the European defense industry must be boosted by expanding joint procurement efforts.
Russia-Ukraine Crisis
Von der Leyen underlined that the war in Ukraine provides important lessons for the EU and mentioned that Russia has deployed young soldiers in Ukraine and introduced rapid and dirty weapons into the battlefield. She stressed the need to defeat Russia for this reason and announced that the EU would integrate Ukraine into its defense programs and open a defense innovation office in Kyiv.
Von der Leyen stated that in her opinion, the EU should build a strong Europe, but this can only be achieved in collaboration with the USA and Canada.