European Commission president: Europe is facing a crisis and military decisions that require courage

The European Union is confronted with a security crisis. The existing system has undergone profound shocks, and Europe is faced with military decisions that seemed impossible just a few weeks ago, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during a speech at the European Parliament session in Strasbourg.

Von der Leyen noted that “the time for a united European defense has come,” and that there was a consensus on military solutions during the March 6 extraordinary EU summit, “which seemed impossible just a few weeks ago.”

Von der Leyen warned Europeans that they would need “courage” and “difficult decision-making” in the coming weeks to make a breakthrough in the arms race. In her view, this is “necessary for the military deterrence of Russia.”

She added that the majority of military investments proposed within the European Commission’s €800 billion plan should be sourced from the EU countries’ own budgets and independently obtained loans.