Von der Leyen fleshes out Carney’s vision to paint Europe as leader of world’s middle powers

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Von der Leyen Proposes European Security Council to Counter Hybrid Threats

   European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is calling for the creation of a European Security Council as part of a new defense strategy. This mechanism aims to coordinate responses to sabotage and drone incidents, positioning Europe as a leader among the world's middle powers. The initiative serves as a strategic response to pressures from Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Von der Leyen also advocated for a specific playbook to address sabotage, seeking a more unified security architecture to protect EU interests against hybrid warfare.

   Why it matters

   The proposal emerges during von der Leyen's 2026 State of the Union address. It reflects a broader effort to align European defense capabilities independently of traditional alliances. This shift follows increasing Russian hybrid threats and geopolitical instability.

   What is confirmed

   • Ursula von der Leyen called for the establishment of a European Security Council.
   • The proposed security mechanism is intended to respond to sabotage and drone incidents.
   • The European Security Council is part of a new EU defense strategy.
   • Von der Leyen proposed a playbook specifically to counter sabotage.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Von der Leyen's vision is an expansion of a strategy originally envisioned by Carney to lead global middle powers.
   • Europe will respond to Russian hybrid threats with pain according to Kubilius.

   What to watch next

   • Formal adoption of the new defense strategy by EU member states
   • Detailed publication of the sabotage playbook
   • Official timeline for the Security Council's implementation
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. politico.eu — Von der Leyen pitches European Security Council in response to Trump and Putin
   2. Bloomberg.com — EU to Call for European Security Council in New Defense Strategy
   3. AP News — EU chief von der Leyen calls for EU security mechanism to respond to drone incidents and sabotage
   4. Euronews.com — State of the Union: Five takeaways from Ursula von der Leyen's speech
   5. Reuters — EU's von der Leyen backs European Security Council and 'playbook' against sabotage
   6. ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation — Canada in the EU and other takeaways from State of European Union
   7. politico.eu — Von der Leyen fleshes out Carney’s vision to paint Europe as leader of world’s middle powers
   8. politico.eu — Von der Leyen offers diagnosis but no cure on EU’s ecological malaise
   9. euractiv.com — AS IT HAPPENED: Von der Leyen's SOTEU 2026
   10. Euronews.com — Kubilius: Europe will respond to Russian hybrid threats with ‘pain’
   11. Euronews.com — Debating Ursula von der Leyen's speech on The Ring
   12. politico.eu — 12 takeaways from von der Leyen’s State of the Union
   confidence 90%