Ursula von der Leyen delivered her most bellicose speech this Tuesday, March 18. "Harsh," as the President of the European Commission herself has acknowledged, in which the head of the European executive speaks directly of "war," of "a world full of dangers," and in which she states that "it is time to speak honestly so that all Europeans understand what is at stake."
"We may wish these things were not true. Or that we didn't have to say them so clearly. But now is the time to speak honestly so that all Europeans understand what is at stake. Because the discomfort of hearing these words pales in comparison to the pain of war. If not, ask the soldiers and the people of Ukraine. The point is that we must see the world as it is, and we must act immediately to confront it. Because in the second half of this decade and beyond, a new international order will be formed," Von der Leyen pointed out in the speech she delivered at the Royal Danish Military Academy. Neither the location nor the country are by any means coincidental, only emphasizing the bellicose nature of the message.
"I know my message today is harsh. I have painted a world plagued with dangers. But we are stronger than we think. And we are not alone in this. Europe is more united than ever. It is more determined than ever," continued Von der Leyen, who also sent a clear message to countries less inclined to spend on Defense. To those who seem more detached from the threats looming over Europe and see war as something very distant. A very clear example: Spain.
Von der Leyen mentioned the efforts of Denmark, which has already agreed to reach 3% of GDP in military investment, or Germany, which almost simultaneously with the President of the Commission's speech, approved breaking the debt brake to address a huge Defense expenditure. European history is being rewritten these days.
Next, the high-ranking European official presented the Brussels' 2030 Defense agenda, which will be based on the white paper that the Commission will present tomorrow. "By 2030, Europe must have a strong European Defense posture," Von der Leyen continued, coining the term Readiness 2030, which could be translated as Preparedness 2030.
"But to be prepared for 2030, we have to act now. And this is where the EU comes into play. To be clear: Member States will always retain responsibility for their own troops, from doctrine to deployment, and for defining the requirements of their armed forces. But much is needed at the European level. And tomorrow we will present a roadmap for Readiness 2030," she continued.
Russia's "war economy"
Von der Leyen spoke of "a European network of land corridors, airports, and seaports to facilitate the rapid transport of troops and military equipment"; of "anti-aircraft and missile defense, artillery systems, ammunition, and missiles," and also of "battlefield," "modern warfare," "drones," and "unmanned systems." To develop all this, she recalled the up to 800 billion euros allocated to her rearmament plan, with the 650 billion fiscal space crucially offered to member countries through the activation of the escape clause.
In the draft of the aforementioned white paper, as reported by EL MUNDO, countries are encouraged to request this tool right away. "Before April," it is noted. In addition to this, there are the 150 billion in loans contemplated by the European instrument, or even additional measures that may be approved, including Eurobonds as non-repayable funds. Nothing is finalized yet, but Brussels maintains that all options are possible.
Because all of this will be necessary to defend against Russia. That country is "on an irreversible path towards creating a war economy." "It has massively expanded its military-industrial production capacity. 40% of the federal budget is spent on defense. 9% of its GDP. This investment fuels its aggression in Ukraine while preparing for future confrontations with European democracies." It couldn't be clearer. And all this, while the United States "shifts its focus to the Indo-Pacific," leaving Europe alone against Vladimir Putin.
"Europe will always defend Greenland's sovereignty"
The President of the Commission also took the opportunity in her speech in Copenhagen to send a message to both Greenland and Denmark, stating that the EU will always "always defend" the sovereignty and territorial integrity. Given the growing interest of U.S. President Donald Trump in acquiring the strategically located autonomous Danish territory for its mineral resources and large proportion of rare materials, Von der Leyen has included the defense of the island among her priorities.