Ukraine Is Europe’s “First Line of Defense” Against Future Threats, EU Chief Says

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine’s long-term security must be guaranteed because it serves as “the first line of defense” for the European Union, she wrote on X on December 9.

“As peace talks are ongoing, the EU remains ironclad in its support for Ukraine. Our financing proposals are on the table. The goal is a strong Ukraine, on the battlefield and at the negotiating table,” von der Leyen stated, adding that she, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and European Council President António Costa reaffirmed to Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Europe remains “steadfast and committed to its principles.”

“Ukraine’s sovereignty must be respected. Ukraine’s security must be guaranteed, in the long term, as a first line of defence for our Union,” she said, noting that the topic was central to discussions with NATO leadership.

Von der Leyen said Europe will continue contributing to efforts aimed at securing “a just and lasting peace,” while Rutte described “good discussions” with Zelenskyy and EU leaders “in support of further progress toward a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”

Earlier, the European Commission was set to unveil its “Readiness 2030” strategy, a blueprint for strengthening European defense by 2030, which will be discussed at an informal European Council.

The EU plans to implement a “drone wall” along its eastern flank, an integrated system designed to combat drone threats and ensure protection against potential aerial incursions. This initiative, which draws on Ukraine’s experience, will focus on detection, tracking, and neutralization.

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