“Europe must also learn the language of power,” quotes Handelsblatt von der Leyen.
She explained that, on the one hand, this means “building up our muscles” in those areas where the EU could rely on others for a long time, for example, in security policy.
“On the other hand, to direct the available forces more purposefully to where it comes to our interests,” she added.
Earlier, French leader Emmanuel Macron said that NATO is in a state of "brain death." He noted that Europe needs to start thinking of itself as an independent geopolitical force, otherwise it will not control its own destiny.