European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on 29 May for Europe to build independence through increased defense spending and Ukrainian EU membership.
"The next great era, our next great unifying project must come from an independent Europe," von der Leyen said during her speech for the Charlemagne Prize in Aachen, Germany. "To build an independent Europe, we must throw off our shackles."
The Commission chief outlined four central tasks for European independence. These include securing peace through higher defense spending, strengthening innovation and competitiveness, expanding the bloc, and renewing democracy against internal and external threats.
Von der Leyen highlighted the bloc's defense funding progress. "That we are now enabling funding of up to €800 billion for defense would have been impossible just a few years ago," she said.
The European Union enabled funding of up to 800 billion euros for defense on 4 March 2025, when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the "ReArm Europe" plan to massively boost defense spending and support Ukraine amid escalating security threats
The decision was made amid Russian aggression in Ukraine, a shift in US foreign policy toward Europe and Ukraine, and Russian threats of potential future military escalation against NATO.
Russia threatens Europe and NATO with possible military aggression, hybrid warfare, and destabilization, opposing NATO’s eastern expansion and increasing its military presence near NATO borders.
"We are doing this because we want to defend peace with all our might," von der Leyen said. "A new international order will emerge before the end of this decade. If we do not want to simply accept the consequences of this for Europe and the world, then we must shape this new order."
Von der Leyen identified Ukraine's accession as central to European expansion. She also mentioned the Western Balkans, Moldova, and "hopefully" Georgia as candidates for membership.
The Commission president said a larger, united Europe would increase the continent's global influence. It would also help reduce dependencies, according to her remarks.
