Von der Leyen Proposes European Security Council Including Ukraine and Associate Membership for Canada

In her annual address to the European Parliament, von der Leyen spoke about the continent's security for more than an hour, mentioning Ukraine and Ukrainians more than twenty times, Current Time reported.

She said the format of the security council had long been discussed but now needed to be created "urgently."

The European Commission president separately called for an emergency consultation mechanism independent of NATO to respond to hybrid threats. If one EU country activates the mechanism, all 27 member states would begin consultations. Von der Leyen said it would supplement Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which allows allies to request emergency consultations over incidents that do not amount to armed conflict.

According to her, the number of cyberattacks, sabotage, arson and drone incursions on EU territory is growing every day. "Europe needs its own set of rules to counter hybrid threats," she said.

Von der Leyen also backed associate membership of Canada in the European Union. The proposal drew applause in the hall, Reuters noted. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was present for the address. EU treaties do not provide for such a status, but its possible introduction has been discussed recently — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed the idea, in particular for Ukraine.

The head of the European Commission promised Ukraine "the largest-scale support" for the coming winter, which she said would be the hardest for the country since the start of the Russian invasion. The EU will provide humanitarian aid, strengthen the supply of electricity and heat, and reinforce air defense.

Ukraine could also receive up to 20 billion euros from the EU's 150 billion euro rearmament program, The Moscow Times reported. Funds not selected by member states will be directed to military support for Ukraine and joint projects with Ukrainian defense companies.

The EU approved the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program in May 2025. It allows member states to receive preferential loans from a common fund for investment in defense and weapons production. As of August 12, 19 of the EU's 27 countries had joined it.

In recent months, fears have been voiced in Europe that Russia could attack one of the countries on NATO's eastern flank. Vladimir Putin has said Russia does not intend to threaten European countries, but warned against sending troops into Ukraine, saying that would mean war with Russia.