EU Commission President: "We Are at a Crossroads... Europe Needs Its Own Power"

In response to U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to annex Greenland, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, argued that Europe must strengthen its independence in order to defend itself.

According to major foreign media outlets on the 21st (local time), von der Leyen attended the plenary session of the European Parliament that day and stated, "We are at a crossroads," adding, "Europe prefers dialogue and solutions, but if necessary, we are ready to act with unity, urgency, and determination."

She went on to say, "In a world where the rule of law is increasingly collapsing, Europe needs its own leverage of power," emphasizing "a strong economy, a prosperous single market and industrial base, robust innovation and technological capabilities, a united society, and above all, genuine self-defense capabilities."

Regarding President Trump's imposition of tariffs on European allies deployed to Greenland, she criticized it as "wrong." She added, "If we fall into a dangerous vicious cycle among allies, it will only embolden our adversaries."

Ant?nio Costa, President of the European Council, also stated, "We cannot tolerate a situation where the law of the strong prevails over the rights of the weak," adding, "International norms are not optional. Furthermore, alliances must not be reduced to a mere series of transactions."