Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, has expressed her willingness to back US President Donald Trump’s initiative for Ukraine, provided it results in a sustainable peace accompanied by security guarantees that encompass a US support system.
She noted that recent events had served as a wake-up call for Europe, necessitating a “once-in-a-generation urgency mindset.”
This shift demands “a substantial increase in defense spending.”
The Commission President advocated for more flexible EU fiscal rules to enable enhanced public defense expenditure at the national level.
“We are deeply committed to Ukraine and the overt injustice of this war.
“I will always remember standing by the body bags of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha.”
She emphasized that supporting Ukraine aligns with Europe’s own security interests.
“Therefore, I endorse President Trump’s initiative for Ukraine aimed at achieving a lasting peace agreement with security guarantees and a US backstop.”
She urged the EU to intensify its military and economic support for Ukraine and to increase pressure on Russia to reach a lasting and enforceable peace.
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Russia poses a ‘clear and present danger’ to Europe
President von der Leyen remarked that a revanchist Russia represents a “clear and present danger” to Europe.
She observed that Russia is outpacing the EU in defense spending, has significantly enhanced its defense industrial capacity, and has gained valuable battlefield experience in Ukraine.
According to her, Europe has under-invested in the defense sector for decades.
A “surge” in defense spending is essential for the necessary consolidation of the European defense industrial base.
“Our initial focus must be an extensive increase in defense expenditure,” she stated.
President von der Leyen indicated her intention to propose coordinated activations of the National Escape Clause.
Under the EU’s fiscal regulations, this escape clause permits the suspension of rules due to exceptional circumstances beyond a member state’s control that significantly affect its public finances.
She explained: “This would enable substantial increases in national defense expenditure.
“We would utilize the full scope of flexibility within the new fiscal framework.
“To maintain fiscal sustainability, this would be executed in a controlled and conditional manner.”
Furthermore, the EU should concentrate on strategic defense areas, such as deep and precision strike capabilities, drones, missiles, ammunition, and the military application of AI, she asserted.
Ms. von der Leyen highlighted the necessity for the EU to enhance the availability of private financing for defense expenditures, which would further empower the European Investment Bank (EIB) to provide loans to member states for defense initiatives.
