European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Denmark on March 18, 2025, for high-level discussions on European security and defense. Against the backdrop of rising tensions with both the United States and Russia, von der Leyen delivered a strong message:
“If Europe wants to avoid war, it must prepare for war.”
The visit included a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at the Royal Danish Military Academy (Hærens Officersskole), where von der Leyen addressed cadets and military officials, outlining the urgent need for Europe to boost its defense capabilities.
The end of the “peace dividend” era
Von der Leyen warned that the era of assuming perpetual peace in Europe is over. She criticized past European complacency in defense spending, stating that adversaries have used this time to strengthen their military capabilities. She highlighted that Russia now allocates 40% of its federal budget to defense, equivalent to 9% of its GDP.
During the visit, von der Leyen praised Denmark’s recent decision to increase its defense spending to 3% of GDP over the next two years, calling it “true leadership.” Prime Minister Frederiksen reinforced this sentiment, stating,
“We are facing the greatest challenges since the 1940s. We must rearm quickly and with strength.”
Europe’s Readiness 2030 roadmap
Von der Leyen outlined four key priorities for Europe’s Readiness 2030:
- Increased defense spending – The EU aims to unlock €800 billion in defense investments, including a new fund, SAFE, which will provide €150 billion to member states for military procurement.
- Closing capability gaps – Investment in infrastructure, military mobility, air and missile defense, artillery systems, and cutting-edge technologies such as AI and quantum computing.
- Support for Ukraine – Strengthening Ukraine’s military deterrence with continued EU support, including €50 billion in military aid and a new EU-Ukraine joint defense task force.
- Strengthening the European defense industry – Enhancing European self-reliance in defense production, promoting joint procurement mechanisms, and creating an EU-wide defense market.
European sovereignty and territorial integrity
Von der Leyen also reaffirmed EU support for Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory, in response to past U.S. interest in acquiring it. She stated, “To all the people of Greenland—and Denmark as a whole—I want to be clear that Europe will always stand for sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Von der Leyen’s visit to Denmark underscored the urgency of fortifying European security. Her call for military readiness aims to ensure that by 2030, the EU will have a robust defense posture capable of protecting its sovereignty and responding to global threats effectively.
With the world’s geopolitical landscape shifting, Europe stands at a crossroads. The EU must decide whether to continue reacting cautiously or to take decisive steps toward securing its future as a self-reliant and resilient military power.
