ASIA
20 February 2026
“Long live Europe”, said President Ursula von der Leyen
Set out below are the main points that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, made at the Munich Security Conference 2026.
Set out below are the main points that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, made at the Munich Security Conference 2026.
We face the very distinct threat of outside forces trying to weaken our Union from within.
The European way of life – our democratic foundation and the trust of our citizens – is being challenged in new ways.
Fundamentally, all of this points to a simple reality in today's fractured world. Europe must become more 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.
I want to focus on Europe's plan for independence. As Jerry Friedheim from the US once said, ‘Unless a nation feels itself primarily responsible for its own security and wellbeing, it will leave the task to others and fail to marshal its resources and political will in its own defence'.
This is pertinent because Europe's security was not always seen as our primary responsibility. Europe needs to step up and has to take on its responsibility.
Defence spending in 2025 in Europe was up close to 80% since before the war in Ukraine. By 2028, defence investment in Europe is even projected to exceed the amount the US spent on such equipment last year. This is a true European awakening.
We must grow a European backbone of strategic enablers: in space, intelligence, and deep strike capabilities.
I believe the time has come to bring Europe's mutual defence clause to life. Mutual defence is not optional for the EU. It is an obligation within our own Treaty – Article 42(7).
We have to be creative. Take the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force which is outside – but complementary – to NATO. It brings together 10 European countries to deter and reassure in the High North of the Baltic region.
But what we need to do now, is formalise the ad hoc beginnings of new security collaborations. This starts by working of course with our closest partners, like the UK, Norway, Iceland or Canada. Ten years on from Brexit – our futures are as bound as ever.
Europe needs a new European Security Strategy. Each and every one of our policies needs a clear security dimension in this new world order.
So how do we bring all of this to life?
For the answer, I look to Ukraine. Ukraine has shown that strength and deterrence, and ultimately lives, depend on industrial capacity. 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.
Ewald von Kleist knew better than most that peace could never be taken for granted. As he put it: ‘Peace and freedom – these two are interlinked. And it has to be the goal of security policy to protect them.'
We face the very distinct threat of outside forces trying to weaken our Union from within.
The European way of life – our democratic foundation and the trust of our citizens – is being challenged in new ways.
Fundamentally, all of this points to a simple reality in today's fractured world. Europe must become more 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.
I want to focus on Europe's plan for independence. As Jerry Friedheim from the US once said, ‘Unless a nation feels itself primarily responsible for its own security and wellbeing, it will leave the task to others and fail to marshal its resources and political will in its own defence'.
This is pertinent because Europe's security was not always seen as our primary responsibility. Europe needs to step up and has to take on its responsibility.
Defence spending in 2025 in Europe was up close to 80% since before the war in Ukraine. By 2028, defence investment in Europe is even projected to exceed the amount the US spent on such equipment last year. This is a true European awakening.
We must grow a European backbone of strategic enablers: in space, intelligence, and deep strike capabilities.
I believe the time has come to bring Europe's mutual defence clause to life. Mutual defence is not optional for the EU. It is an obligation within our own Treaty – Article 42(7).
We have to be creative. Take the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force which is outside – but complementary – to NATO. It brings together 10 European countries to deter and reassure in the High North of the Baltic region.
But what we need to do now, is formalise the ad hoc beginnings of new security collaborations. This starts by working of course with our closest partners, like the UK, Norway, Iceland or Canada. Ten years on from Brexit – our futures are as bound as ever.
Europe needs a new European Security Strategy. Each and every one of our policies needs a clear security dimension in this new world order.
So how do we bring all of this to life?
For the answer, I look to Ukraine. Ukraine has shown that strength and deterrence, and ultimately lives, depend on industrial capacity. 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.
Ewald von Kleist knew better than most that peace could never be taken for granted. As he put it: ‘Peace and freedom – these two are interlinked. And it has to be the goal of security policy to protect them.'