Ursula von der Leyen Urges Boost in EU Arms Production

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasized the urgent need for the EU to enhance its arms production capabilities in response to geopolitical threats, particularly from Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. Speaking at the GLOBESEC forum in Prague, she stated that protecting Europe is primarily Europe's responsibility and highlighted the importance of NATO while calling for a stronger European defense component. Von der Leyen criticized the complacency regarding security measures at the beginning of the decade, warning that the latter half will present significant risks. She urged for a shift in focus towards security aspects in all EU actions, advocating for the Union to be viewed as fundamentally a security project. The call for action comes amid rising tensions and the realization that Europe has not done enough to secure its defense.