European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday that Europe must be prepared to defend itself “at all times,” warning that growing geopolitical tensions and external pressure on democratic systems require the continent to strengthen its strategic independence.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, von der Leyen said Europe faces a “very clear threat from external forces attempting to weaken our Union from within,” amid intensifying global rivalry affecting everything from territorial security to technology regulation.
“At its core, all of this points to a simple reality: in today’s fragmented world, Europe must become more independent. There is no other choice,” she said, stressing that such independence must encompass defence, energy, trade, raw materials and digital technology.
Von der Leyen dismissed suggestions that greater European autonomy could weaken transatlantic ties, saying that “a more independent Europe is a stronger Europe, and a stronger Europe makes for a stronger transatlantic alliance.”
Highlighting the bloc’s defence efforts since Russia’s war against Ukraine began, she said European military spending in 2025 has increased by nearly 80% compared with pre-war levels.
“The time has come to activate Europe’s mutual defence clause,” she said, describing collective defence under Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty as “not optional,” but a binding commitment.
Von der Leyen called for faster decision-making on security matters, suggesting that the EU may increasingly rely on qualified majority voting rather than unanimity in order to accelerate action.
She also called for closer cooperation with partners outside the bloc, particularly the United Kingdom, saying that “ten years after Brexit, our futures remain closely intertwined,” and urging deeper coordination in security, democracy and economic resilience.
Drawing lessons from Ukraine’s battlefield experience, she stressed that industrial capacity and innovation are decisive factors in modern warfare, noting that drones now account for “around 80% of battlefield damage on both sides.”
Europe must therefore strengthen its defence production and dual-use technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, she said.
“Some ask whether we can afford this. I say we cannot afford not to,” von der Leyen added, arguing that investment in defence is essential to preserving peace and freedom.
