President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, attended the 2026 edition of the Munich Security Conference, where she called for a stronger and more independent EU. President von der Leyen delivered a speech and participated in a panel discussion with UK Prime Minister Starmer, where both leaders were asked about the state of transatlantic relations and their support for Ukraine. The President emphasised that a strong Europe makes for a stronger transatlantic alliance.
In her speech, President von der Leyen called for Europe to become more independent in every aspect. She stated: “Europe must become more independent – there is no other choice. Independent in every dimension that affects our security and prosperity. Defence and energy. Economy and trade. Raw materials and digital tech. (…) An independent Europe is a strong Europe. And a strong Europe makes for a stronger transatlantic alliance.” Following that call, the President of the Commission detailed how Europe has been taking action and stepping up.
The President laid out the large increase in defence spending across the continent, as well as measures already taken by the European Union: “Defence spending in 2025 in Europe was up close to 80% since before the war in Ukraine. The EU is mobilising up to EUR 800 billion. With our SAFE programme, we are investing in the capabilities we need: from air and missile defence, to drones and military mobility.” President von der Leyen went on to say: “This is a true European awakening.”
Further, the President called on Europe to grow a backbone of strategic enablers and restressed the need for a new European Security Strategy. She said: “I believe we must urgently recalibrate the way we use our entire policy toolbox. (…) We in Europe should be ready and willing to use our strength assertively and proactively to protect our security interests. We need a new doctrine for this – with a simple goal: to ensure that Europe can defend its own territory, economy, democracy and way of life at all times.”
President von der Leyen also made reference to the mutual defence clause in the EUs Treaty, stating: “Mutual defence is not optional for the EU. It is an obligation within our own Treaty – Article 42(7). For good reason. It is our collective commitment to stand by each other in case of aggression. Or in simple terms, one for all and all for one. This is Europes meaning.”
Still, the President stressed the importance of NATO and spoke on the numerous security partnerships Europe has made to further enhance its security. Concluding trade agreements with partners such as India, Mercosur and Mexico has also been a clear strategy from the EU to be stronger and more independent through diversification. Indeed, as the President stated, being open to the world and connecting with like-minded partners builds mutual strength.
Ukraine was at the heart of the Presidents interventions. She reiterated the EUs strong support for the country, saying: “We have remained relentless and creative in the way we maintain our support for Ukraine. This includes most recently with our EUR 90 billion loan, that Ukraine only has to pay back, if Russia pays reparations”. She also detailed how Ukraine is an inspiration on how to step up the EUs efforts in defence: “Ukraine has shown that strength and deterrence, and ultimately lives, depend on industrial capacity. Producing, scaling and sustaining the effort over time. As they say in Ukraine, you change or die. We must adopt this mantra too.”
“We need to tear down the rigid wall between the civilian and defence sectors. Europe is a powerhouse for car manufacturing, aerospace and heavy machinery. We should not look at these industries as purely commercial but as core to the defence value chain”, the President added. She also highlighted the EUs new Defence and Innovation Office in Kyiv, which will help to merge European scale with Ukrainian speed and ingenuity.
The Munich Security Conference was also an occasion for the President of the Commission to meet with different partners, including the Berlin Format meeting on Ukraine.
More information:
Speech by President von der Leyen at the Munich Security Conference 2026
Panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference 2026 *