Highlights: EU: at the Munich conference, Europeans recognize the need for common defense. Ursula von der Leyen calls for the EU to step up its efforts on common defense projects. She talks about a specialized commissioner, industrial strategies, and weapons interoperability. The European Commission will present a proposal for a defense industrial strategy in three weeks. The proposal aims to increase defense spending, to “ spend better” with joint purchases and agreements to provide forecasts to industry and better interoperability between European armed forces.

The President of the European Commission is in Munich for the annual security event. Ursula von der Leyen calls for the EU to push the envelope on common defense projects, she speaks…

EU: at the Munich conference, Europeans recognize the need for common defense

The President of the European Commission is in Munich for the annual security event. Ursula von der Leyen calls for the EU to step up its efforts on common defense projects; she talks about a specialized commissioner, industrial strategies, and weapons interoperability.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrive at the opening of the Munich Security Conference on February 16, 2024. AP - Matthias Schrader

By: RFI Follow

Since the NATO meeting on Thursday, Europeans have finally recognized the need for common defense. It must be able to complement American forces, or even replace them after threats from Donald Trump who no longer wants to defend certain allies. The awareness is not new, but the idea is now at the forefront.

Ursula von der Leyen has already made it known that the idea of a European defense commissioner portfolio is in favor and she also wants quality jobs in Europe in the defense industry. It also proposes launching new weapons programs based on the success of the munitions programs.

The European Commission will present a proposal for a defense industrial strategy in three weeks, she said. The proposal aims to increase defense spending, to “

spend better

» with joint purchases and agreements to provide forecasts to industry and better interoperability between European armed forces, according to the president.

Opening of a defense office in kyiv

The President of the Commission also wants to work more closely with Ukraine as NATO does. “

What Russia is doing right now is drowning the Ukrainian forces under a mass of soldiers, that is to say, it is sacrificing thousands and thousands of young men thrown onto the battlefield in waves ,

says Ursula von der Leyen.

Russia is using quick and dirty weapons produced in North Korea and Iran against Ukraine. So we have to be smarter than Russia. This is why we will integrate Ukraine into our defense programs and open an office in kyiv for defense innovation.

Ursula von der Leyen spoke in Munich alongside the Dutchman Mark Rutte who could well be the next secretary-general of NATO. She herself should soon apply for a new mandate and defense risks being a major subject in the European election campaign, points out

EU: at the Munich conference, Europeans recognize the need for common defense

EU: at the Munich conference, Europeans recognize the need for common defense

Opening of a defense office in kyiv

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