Von der Leyen calls for united, urgent action on European defence

BRUSSELS — Speaking at the fifth European Defence & Security Conference (EDSC), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Member States to act “faster, smarter and together” to strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities.

The annual forum, launched in 2021, has become a fixture for Europe’s security and industry leaders. This year’s edition, themed around inclusion and innovation, gathered ministers, diplomats and executives against the backdrop of ongoing war on the Bloc’s borders.

Readiness 2030 and shared responsibility

“The defence of Europe is our responsibility,” von der Leyen stated in a recorded address. “Putin’s brutal invasion is now in its fourth year. He is a predator—one that can only be kept in check by strength and unity.”

She underlined that the Commission’s Readiness 2030 plan—unveiled earlier this year—was designed to “boost military capability and industrial base” and ensure that Member States act in a coordinated, precise and fast manner.

SAFE loans and rising investment

So far, 19 Member States have applied for loans under the SAFE programme—a €150 billion facility designed to support joint defence procurement. Another 16 Members have sought budgetary flexibility to increase national defence spending, potentially unlocking up to €800 billion by 2030.

“With Readiness 2030, we are creating the economies of scale to accelerate production [and] strengthen our industrial base,” von der Leyen said. “Ukraine must stay strong, for our neighbourhood to stay strong too.”

The two-term Commission President confirmed that a Defence Readiness Roadmap will be presented to the European Council later this month, accelerating implementation. The next EU budget, she added, will propose “a ten-fold increase in funding for military mobility and a five-fold [rise] in defence investment.”

Urgency and determination

Von der Leyen closed her remarks with a call for persistence and unity. “Together we must continue to move forward with the urgency, consistency and determination we have shown so far—to defend our Continent and safeguard our future.”

As Europe faces an increasingly complex security landscape, this year’s edition of EDSC reaffirmed the importance of EU cooperation and shared commitment as essential building blocks to a stronger, more autonomous Europe.