European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed on Wednesday that the European Union should explore the possibility of utilizing profits from frozen Russian assets to acquire military supplies for Ukraine. She emphasized the urgency of initiating discussions on this matter during her address to the European Parliament.
Von der Leyen stressed the significance of this potential action, stating, “There could be no stronger symbol and no greater use for that money than to make Ukraine and all of Europe a safer place to live.”
Acknowledging the current geopolitical landscape, von der Leyen underscored that while the threat of war may not be immediate, it remains a possibility that cannot be ignored. She emphasized the importance of preparedness and the urgent need to enhance and modernize the armed forces of EU member states.
Von der Leyen’s remarks emphasized the imperative for proactive measures to bolster defense capabilities across the European Union.
Furthermore, von der Leyen provided insights into an upcoming European Industrial Defence Strategy, which aims to prioritize joint procurement initiatives.
She outlined the strategy’s goal of fostering the development and production of advanced military capabilities over the next five years.
Additionally, she emphasized that strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities would complement and reinforce the NATO alliance, highlighting the interconnectedness of regional and international security efforts.