European Commission: Russia's Aggressive War Against Ukraine on European Soil is the Greatest Threat to EU Peace and Security

At present, the single greatest threat to European security is Putin's war against Ukraine, and the response to it requires clear coordination of actions by the entire European Union. This was stated today in Brussels at a press conference to present a report by former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö on EU civil and military preparedness, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

‘We certainly have military risks. Putin's war in Ukraine is the single biggest threat to our security. This year, Russian defence spending is on track to exceed the collective contributions of all the (EU) member states combined. So we need to step up our efforts, recognising that being prepared for the worst can prevent the worst from happening. Given the scale of these challenges, we need to work together as Europeans to bring about change,’ said Ursula von der Leyen.

She recalled that seven months ago, together with the EU High Representative, she asked leading Finnish politician Sauli Niinisto to prepare a report on how the EU could improve its civil and military preparedness to better prepare for future shocks and crises.

The day before, it became known that the EU and NATO are creating a group to counter the efforts of authoritarian states. European Commission President von der Leyen and Secretary General Rutte met yesterday for the first time since he took over as NATO's chief.

Their discussion focused on the importance of a close strategic partnership between the Union and the Alliance. They both agreed that in an increasingly dangerous world, this partnership is vital to safeguarding and promoting peace, freedom and prosperity. Russia's war of aggression on European soil is the greatest threat to peace and security on the European continent.