European Union leaders gathered on Monday for a special summit organized by President of the European Council António Costa, with a focus on European defense. The informal meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the future of defense within the EU, including collective capacities, financing mechanisms, and relations with strategic partners in defense matters.
According to a statement from the European Commission, there is growing consensus among EU leaders that more must be done to secure the Union’s defense capabilities. During the final press conference, President Ursula von der Leyen, alongside President Costa and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, emphasized the need to find appropriate funding for the EU’s defense needs. She highlighted the importance of increasing public funds, exploring flexibility within the Stability and Growth Pact, and engaging with the private sector to modernize credit practices.
Von der Leyen also stressed the value of joint procurement to leverage economies of scale and enhance interoperability across Europe’s defense equipment. The leaders also discussed the connection between competition and defense, noting the positive impact of defense investments on Europe’s overall competitiveness.
Moreover, von der Leyen remarked on the impressive growth of Ukraine’s defense industry, particularly in areas like drones, and expressed that Europe could learn a lot from Ukraine’s daily battlefield experience.
The European Commission plans to present a White Paper on the Future of European Defense by March, which will serve as the basis for formal discussions among EU leaders during their regular European Council meeting in June.
The leaders also reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to strengthening relationships with strategic partners. Notably, they welcomed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss future cooperation.
Von der Leyen expressed the EU’s readiness for a strong and constructive dialogue with the United States, prioritizing early engagement and acknowledging the potential challenges ahead.
