Bangladesh, Feb. 10 -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has reignited the debate on Europes defense autonomy by calling for an alternative to NATO. Her remarks, delivered during a press briefing in Lithuania on February 9, underscore growing concerns among EU leaders over reliance on the United States for security. As Washington increasingly pressures its NATO allies to ramp up defense spending, and amid uncertainty surrounding future American support for Ukraine, von der Leyens call signals a potential shift in European strategic thinking.

Von der Leyen, while reaffirming NATOs foundational role in European security, argued that the continent must bolster its own defense capabilities. “NATO remains the foundation...