TL:DR – Ursula von der Leyen Advocates EU Military Cooperation at Munich Conference
• NATO chief Mark Rutte stated Europe cannot defend itself without the US, on 16 February 2026.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded at the Munich Security Conference, advocating for an independent Europe.
• Von der Leyen highlighted Article 42.7, which obliges EU members to assist if one is attacked, as a potential strength compared to NATO’s Article 5.
• Article 42.7 has only been invoked once, after the 2015 Paris attacks, indicating operational limitations for EU military support.
• Eastern European nations prefer NATO for security assurances over EU initiatives.
• The EU faces challenges in establishing a fully independent military capability amidst nuclear uncertainties from the US.
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European Commission President Addresses Defence Concerns at Munich Security Conference
On 16 February 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded to NATO chief Mark Rutte’s comments on European defence during the Munich Security Conference. Rutte had stated that Europe should “keep dreaming” if it believes it can defend itself without the United States, highlighting the urgency of the current security situation.
Von der Leyen’s remarks underscored the need for an independent European defence strategy. She asserted, “An independent Europe just means let’s develop our strengths without constantly leaning on someone else,” indicating a push for enhanced military capabilities within the European Union.
Emphasis on Article 42.7 and Its Implications
A specific focus of von der Leyen’s plan is Article 42.7 of the EU treaty, which obligates member states to assist any country that is attacked. This provision is seen as having potentially stronger language compared to NATO’s Article 5, as it does not require a unanimous vote for activation.
However, the EU’s lack of a unified command structure poses challenges. Each member state has the discretion to determine how to respond, which does not necessarily imply that military forces will be deployed. Article 42.7 has only been activated once since its inception, after the 2015 Paris attacks.
Concerns Over NATO and European Security
The general sentiment among Eastern European nations remains that NATO is the more viable security solution, reflecting a significant trust gap towards the EU’s military capacities. The urgency is exacerbated by Washington‘s expectations for Europe to assume greater responsibility for its conventional defence, amid growing uncertainty surrounding NATO’s future.
Additionally, the EU must consider the implications of the US potentially retracting its nuclear deterrent from Europe. Establishing an independent European nuclear defence system would involve substantial financial and temporal investments. Thus, the EU faces the dual challenge of upholding its treaty commitments while enhancing its military capabilities.
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