Aysu Bicer
18 March 2025•Update: 18 March 2025
LONDON
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday expressed strong support for Denmark and Greenland, emphasizing Europe's readiness to strengthen its defense posture in light of ongoing global tensions.
Von der Leyen's remarks come as Europe faces challenges ranging from the war in Ukraine to the growing competition for influence in the Arctic and continued attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
"I'm of course, talking about the ongoing war in Ukraine and conflicts in other theaters, but also the repeated and continued attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, and, of course, the ongoing competition for influence in the Arctic region, including Greenland, and to all the people of Greenland and of Denmark as a whole, I want to be very clear that Europe will always stand for sovereignty and territorial integrity," von der Leyen said during a visit to Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.
She further praised Denmark's decision to significantly increase its defense spending in response to the changing security environment.
"I salute the prime minister's decision to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP in the next two years," she stated, noting that such investments are crucial for maintaining a strong European defense.
- 'Europe must develop a strong defense posture by 2030'
Von der Leyen outlined the EU's strategic vision for defense by 2030, stressing the urgency of acting now to prepare for future challenges.
"Europe is ready to step up. We are ready to take control of the change that is inevitable, because we cannot afford to be pushed around by history, and that means acting now is a must. Acting big is a condition for speed, scale and strength by 2030."
By 2030, von der Leyen emphasized, Europe must develop a strong defense posture, which includes rearming and advancing defense capabilities to ensure credible deterrence.
"Readiness 2030 means to have re-armed and developed the capabilities to have credible deterrence, readiness 2030 means to have a defense industrial base."
In addition to military readiness, von der Leyen called for the establishment of a functioning EU-wide network of land corridors, airports, and sea ports to facilitate the rapid movement of troops and military equipment.
She also underscored the need for investments in critical defense technologies, such as air and missile defense artillery systems, drones, and counter-drone systems, which have proven essential in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Von der Leyen also announced the creation of a European military sales mechanism to support defense capabilities across the continent.
"We will set up a European military sales mechanism to help make this happen. Member states need to be able to fully rely on European Defense Supply Chains, especially in times of earned need," she said.
