European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Europe to ramp up its military support for Ukraine on Thursday, July 3, following the United States’ decision to pause certain weapons deliveries. The message came as Denmark, which now holds the rotating EU presidency, vowed to push Ukraine’s stalled EU membership bid.
“It’s a clear message to step up our own support, ramping up our European defense capacities, not only at the level of the European Union, but at the continental level,” von der Leyen said at a press conference in Aarhus, Denmark.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was invited to join the official launch of Denmark’s six-month EU presidency.
Thursday’s talks in Aarhus between Denmark, von der Leyen, and Zelensky also focused on military aid, defense industry collaboration, and new sanctions against Russia. Denmark, which has been vocal about the need for higher defense spending in Europe, reaffirmed its support for an EU plan to boost military capabilities.
