Von der Leyen urges greater EU support for Ukraine amid US uncertainty
The pause in certain US arms deliveries to Ukraine is “a clear signal” that Europe must step up its own support, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday in Aarhus, at the launch of Denmark’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.
"This is a clear signal for us that we must increase our own support and strengthen our defence capabilities," Von der Leyen said, responding to US media reports that Washington would halt shipments of air defence missiles and other precision munitions to Ukraine, just as Russia appears to be intensifying its offensive.
For Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen, such a move would be “a serious setback for Ukraine, Europe and NATO”. She added: “We hope that the transatlantic partnership will continue, also with regard to Ukraine. But if there are gaps, we must fill them.”
Von der Leyen highlighted the importance of the EU’s new SAFE financing instrument, which offers member states up to 150 billion euros in favourable loans for defence investments. The funds can also be used to purchase military equipment for Ukraine or to invest in Ukraine’s “extremely efficient” defence industry. That industry “produces faster, better and cheaper than we do,” Frederiksen noted, but is only operating at 60 per cent capacity.
Ukraine is also looking to move part of its production to other European countries, including Denmark.
Von der Leyen and Frederiksen were in Aarhus on Thursday for the official launch of the Danish EU presidency. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky also attended. Denmark has taken a leading role in military aid to Ukraine, including the delivery of F-16 fighter jets, and has made continued support a top priority of its presidency.
Ursula von der Leyen at Aarhus University during the official opening of Denmark's EU presidency, 3 July 2025 © PHOTO MIKKEL BERG PEDERSON / RITZAU SCANPIX / AFP
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