Ursula von der Leyen confirmed Europe’s plans to increase defense spending, emphasizing that this would also strengthen NATO’s European pillar.
“Europe must become more independent; it must do more for its own defense. A strong Europe also means a strong NATO,” she stated during a joint press conference in Munich with Mark Rutte and Johann Wadephul.
Responding to criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding European allies’ contributions to NATO’s financial burden, von der Leyen highlighted that EU member states have significantly increased defense investments and spending.
“Last year, we did more for Europe’s defense than in the previous ten years,” she said.
“In the last seven-year budget, 8 billion euros were allocated to defense. Last year, we mobilized 800 billion euros for European defense to close the gaps we have,” von der Leyen added.
