"Today is the time for action" - President von der Leyen On 14 February 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a keynote speech at the annual Munich Security Conference. In her speech, President von der Leyen addresses the importance of strengthening Europe's independence amid ongoing security challenges, including Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Emphasising the necessity for Europe to take primary responsibility for its security, she outlines the EU's plan to invest significantly in defence capabilities and embrace more strategic partnerships. President von der Leyen also calls for a new European Security Strategy, urging a proactive approach to protect European territories and values. Her speech concludes with an affirmation that Europe must honour its commitments and ensure peace and freedom through heightened independence and unity. For the full transcript of the speech, see here: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_26_414 Follow us on: -X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/europeancommission/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/ -Medium: https://medium.com/@EuropeanCommission Check our website: https://commission.europa.eu/