Von der Leyen demands Europe's defence overhaul at Munich summit
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has urged Europe to adopt a more aggressive and decisive approach to defence. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, she called for sweeping changes to strengthen the continent’s security. Her proposals included learning from Ukraine’s rapid response to threats and reforming EU decision-making processes. Von der Leyen began by criticising Europe’s slow decision-making, arguing it leaves the continent vulnerable. She pushed for broader use of qualified majority voting in the EU to speed up action. A key part of her speech focused on dismantling barriers between civilian and defence sectors, encouraging closer collaboration.
She also proposed a new European security strategy to protect territory, democracy, and economic stability. The plan would prioritise dual-use technologies like AI, cybersecurity, drones, and space systems. To demonstrate this shift, she announced the opening of an EU Defense Innovation Office in Kyiv, blending European resources with Ukrainian ingenuity. Her message was blunt: Europe must act preemptively, even with force, to defend itself. Quoting a Ukrainian saying—*Change or die*—she insisted the continent must embrace this mindset to survive future threats.
The speech outlined a clear direction for Europe’s defence policy, stressing urgency and adaptability. Von der Leyen’s call for a unified strategy and faster decision-making signals a potential shift in how the EU handles security. The new Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv marks the first step in this transformation.
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