Von der Leyen demands replacement for NATO

(MENAFN) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed an alternative to NATO, emphasizing the need for Europe to take greater control of its own security. Her comments come in response to rising US demands for increased defense spending among NATO members, uncertainty about continued US support for Ukraine, and concerns about a potential shift in Washington’s commitment to European defense. While recognizing NATO as the cornerstone of defense, von der Leyen stressed the necessity for a pan-European defense system, calling for increased funding from both public and private sectors.

Previously, French President Emmanuel Macron and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel had advocated for an EU army, with Macron notably labeling NATO as “brain dead” in 2019. He urged for "strategic autonomy" from the US, and one proposed solution was the creation of a European army. Despite opposition from some European nations, such as Denmark and Poland, which prefer security within the NATO framework, Italy has supported the idea, arguing that a joint military would be essential for a credible foreign policy.

Macron recently announced France’s decision to double its military spending and encouraged other EU nations to do the same, fearing a decrease in US interest in European security, especially if Donald Trump returns to power. Since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022, the EU has significantly increased defense spending, with several EU countries pledging substantial military budget hikes.

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