Munich, February 15, 2026 – The Europe Today: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has urged Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own defence, emphasizing that the continent can no longer rely on decades of support from the United States.
Speaking on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference, von der Leyen said that Europe’s security had historically not been viewed as primarily its own responsibility, but stressed that this perception has fundamentally changed. She argued that a stronger and more capable Europe would, in turn, reinforce the transatlantic alliance.
The Commission President called on European nations to dismantle existing barriers to closer defence cooperation and advocated for activating the European Union’s mutual defence clause, which commits member states to collectively defend one another in the event of aggression.
Von der Leyen also underscored the importance of strengthening relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom. Describing their futures as “more interconnected than ever,” she called for enhanced collaboration on security, economic cooperation, and the defence of democratic systems.
Against the backdrop of ongoing global instability, she stressed the need for greater unity across Europe, particularly with the UK. Reflecting on the decade since Brexit, von der Leyen said that pursuing an ambitious and forward-looking partnership serves the shared interests of both sides.
Her remarks highlighted growing momentum within the EU to bolster defence capabilities, deepen strategic autonomy, and reinforce cooperation with key partners amid evolving geopolitical challenges.
