EU must unite on defence, von der Leyen warns after US tensions
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has urged the EU to strengthen its mutual defence commitments. Her call follows a year of strained relations with the Trump administration. She insisted that Europe must take collective security more seriously than ever before. Speaking after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed America’s support for Europe, von der Leyen acknowledged growing tensions. Rubio had stated, 'We want Europe to be strong. We believe that Europe must survive.' Yet she warned that 'some lines have been crossed that cannot be uncrossed anymore.'
The Commission president stressed that mutual defence is not a choice but a legal duty under the EU treaty. Article 42.7 requires all member states to provide *'aid and assistance by all the means in their power'* if another is attacked. She called for clearer rules on how this clause should be enforced. Von der Leyen also pushed back against NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s claim that Europe cannot defend itself without U.S. support. Instead, she argued that the bloc must reduce its reliance on others, including America. *'It is our collective commitment to stand by each other in case of aggression,'* she declared.
The remarks signal a shift in Europe’s security stance. Von der Leyen’s demand for stronger EU defence cooperation comes amid rising geopolitical uncertainty. Member states may now face pressure to clarify how they will fulfil their obligations under Article 42.7.
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