Delighted to meet Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan 🇷🇴 today in Brussels. We discussed the use of #SAFE defence loans to strengthen 🇪🇺 Eastern Flank, including w #DroneWall with/including Ukraine, and to provide more support for 🇺🇦 security, which is indispensable for 🇪🇺security.

Russia is escalating its military provocations. We shall “escalate” the strengthening of our #DefenceReadiness and deterrence capabilities.

Europe stands with Estonia in the face of Russia’s latest violation of our airspace. We will respond to every provocation with determination while investing in a stronger Eastern flank.

Together with Ukraine, we shall build the #DroneWall, and we shall integrate Ukraine’s defence innovation with the EU’s industrial scale to strengthen both Ukrainian and European defence power 🇪🇺🤝🇺🇦

European security & independence start with independence from Russian gas. Today @EU_Commission tabled 19th sanctions package with a proposal to ban Russian LNG imports. Today I am next to Lithuanian LNG terminal “Independence” with 🇱🇹 Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas ⬇️ 1/2

Impressions from Lviv Defence Tech Valley - the time has come for Europe to not only support Ukraine, but to learn from Ukraine 🇺🇦 The question is not just how to create a certain technology, but how to create an entire ecosystem. #DroneWall united24media.com/business/wha...

Important exchange with Foreign Affairs Minister Kęstutis Budrys 🇱🇹 on Lithuania’s and the EU defence priorities. @ec.europa.eu 🇪🇺 is stepping up for Eastern flank Member States through #SAFE & developing the Eastern Defence Shield #DroneWall together with Ukraine 🇺🇦  #DefenceReadiness2030

Delighted with the opportunity to bring together my cabinet team with the team of @ec.europa.eu Representation in Lithuania 🇪🇺headed by Marius Vaščega for discussions in Vilnius 🇱🇹 Let’s keep up the great work! #StandWithUkraine #DefenceReadiness2030

Ukraine possesses unique modern warfare, scaled-up defense production and military technology expertise. At the meeting with Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, we discussed ways to collaborate in developing #DroneWall with Ukraine for Europe and deep-strike capabilities of Ukraine.

Met with Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha, good to hear updates on security situation. We must maintain pressure on Russia and integrate 🇺🇦 into Europe’s defence readiness industrial capabilities, that could also include #DroneWall initiative to keep Europeans safe. #SAFE

In the meeting with Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko 🇺🇦, we discussed 🇪🇺 initiatives such as #SAFE, #EDIP, #DroneWall Alliance, and the new MFF. So far, our military support for 🇺🇦amounted to 0.1% of GDP per year. We should do more for the country that is defending all of Europe.

Despite Putin’s Iskander attack on the government building, Ukraine continues the fight. With Vice Prime Minister Taras Kachka discussed integrating 🇺🇦&🇪🇺defence industries. Ukraine’s knowledge & capabilities will boost our defence readiness & strengthen Europe’s security.

Frank and open discussion with Rustem Umerov, SNSDC of Ukraine, on developing Eastern defence shield #DroneWall capabilities with Ukraine 🇺🇦 Europe has much to learn from Ukraine’s growing defence industry and capabilities. Accelerating Ukraine’s integration is in the best interest of the EU 🇪🇺

Together with EU Member States, NATO, and Ukraine we need to build a #DroneWall for the Eastern flank. #SAFE offers strong financial opportunities. Ukraine’s experience in countering Russian drones is a benefit for the EU Defence Readiness 2030. #YES2025 Conference

Happy to be back in Kyiv! 🇺🇦 I am meeting Ukrainian counterparts to discuss 🇪🇺 European defence readiness, progress on SAFE and our plans with Ukraine regarding the EU capabilities for the Eastern defence shield and #DroneWall 🛡️

A larger and stronger Union is a security guarantee for all of us. And because for Ukraine, for Moldova, for the Western Balkans – their future is in our Union. Let's make the next reunification of Europe happen. @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu #SOTEU

At the next European Council, we will therefore present a clear roadmap. For getting new common defence projects off the ground. For setting clear goals for 2030. And for creating a European Defence Semester🇪🇺 2030 is tomorrow. So Europe must get ready today. @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu #SOTEU

We must heed the call of our Baltic friends and build a drone wall. This is not an abstract ambition. It is the bedrock of credible defence. A European capability developed together, deployed together, and sustained together, that can respond in real time. @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu #SOTEU

Only a strong and credible European defence posture will be able to guarantee our security. We have made historic progress in recent years to build our European Defence Union 🇪🇺 @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu #SOTEU

Europe will frontload EUR 6 billion from the ERA loan and enter into a Drone Alliance with Ukraine. 🇪🇺🤝🇺🇦 @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu #SOTEU

Today, it is Ukraine's use of drones that is accounting for over two thirds of Russian equipment losses 🇺🇦 That is not just an edge on the battlefield. @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu #SOTEU

Today I opened the General Assembly for Defence, Space & Security organised by the European Parliament and the European Commission in collaboration with #Lazio Region and @esa.int 🇪🇺 needs to advance swiftly with space as a strategic enabler for defence.

This is Russia's war. And it is Russia that should pay. This is why we need to work urgently on a new solution to finance Ukraine's war effort on the basis of the immobilised Russian assets.  @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu #SOTEU

Always good to meet my friend Minister Guido Crosetto🇮🇹 The European Commission tentatively allocated €150 bn from #SAFE to boost defence. Italy is an active participant. There’s no time to wait! Europe must build strong capabilities to deter Russia! Italy will play a very important role.

Today I met Minister Adolfo Urso 🇮🇹 to discuss cooperation for space. Italy is an important space faring nation with a strong role in EU space systems and services. Europe 🇪🇺 is preparing an ambitious acceleration of space notably by reinforcing synergies with defence.

Deliberate GNSS jamming & spoofing harm our economy. Endanger our planes, ships, cars! Russia's war on 🇺🇦 substantially increased jamming & spoofing in the EU. 🇪🇺 will react! We’ll protect our systems, people & businesses, and boost our resilience! ⬇️ ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

This must be Europe's Independence Moment. Freedom to shape our own destiny. This is our Union’s mission. To reclaim our defence, technology, energy, democracy and partnerships. Together, with unity and ambition, we can make it possible. 🇪🇺 President Ursula von der Leyen during her #SOTEU speech

Europe is in a fight. A fight for our liberty and our ability to determine our destiny for ourselves. This must be Europe’s Independence Moment. A moment we can seize if we're united ↓ www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVnm...

Once again Russia tests frontier states, EU & NATO. We must urgently develop "Drone wall" along entire EU Eastern flank, right now the most important common flagship project. We shall work together with Member States, frontier countries and Ukraine. Russia will be stopped.

EU defence ramp-up instrument #SAFE is designed to help also Ukraine! 🇪🇺🤝🇺🇦 SAFE can be used for Ukraine, with Ukraine and in Ukraine. I call EU Member States to work with Ukraine and help to stop Russian aggression!

This is how Europe gets serious about security 👇 With SAFE, our Security and Defence Action for Europe. ✅ 19 EU countries requested its activation 🇧🇪🇧🇬🇨🇿🇩🇰🇪🇪🇬🇷🇪🇸🇫🇷🇭🇷🇮🇹🇨🇾🇱🇻🇱🇹🇭🇺🇵🇱🇵🇹🇷🇴🇸🇰🇫🇮 ✅ All €150 billion fully subscribed ✅ Firm support for 🇺🇦 Europe is delivering on defence ↓ europa.eu/!YmtfQB

Today the College has agreed on tentative allocation of #SAFE defence loans of €150 billion for 19 Member States A European success that will help EU MSs bolster 🇪🇺defence readiness and incentivise joint procurement in a Big Bang way We are stepping into a delivery phase! 1/2

“We need a Big Bang,” says former ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger about Europe’s defense strategy. Could not agree more! I detailed what a “Big Bang” approach would entail in my keynote at the Berlin Security Conference last year ⬇️ 🔗 andriuskubilius.lt/en/keynote-s... www.welt.de/politik/ausl...

📊 The latest #Eurobarometer: Europeans expect a stronger, safer, and more united EU! ➡️ 68% want the EU to play a greater role in protecting citizens against crises & security risks. ➡️ 90% call on Member States to act together. Europeans are asking us to deliver🇪🇺 1/5 ⬇️

Unity and credible deterrence are crucial to prevent Russia & Belarus from testing our borders 🇪🇺 will support MSs in strengthening defence, developing projects like the Eastern Border Defence Shield, and protecting the Union itself. 🇪🇺@vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu visit to 🇱🇻 🇫🇮 🇪🇪 🇵🇱 🇱🇹 🇧🇬 🇷🇴

A key precondition for prosperity is peace and security on our continent. Europe has understood that it must assume more responsibility for its own defence, and stand firmly by Ukrainians in the face of Russia's war of aggression. #SOTEU ⬇️ 🔗https://ec.europa.eu/stories/soteu25-achievements/

Busy day at the Ambrosetti Forum in #Cernobbio2025 🇮🇹, including a panel discussion on “Adapting to New Realities: The Evolution of European Defence and Security.” Italy is an important player in the 🇪🇺 defence and space sectors.

Met with Enrico Letta and exchanged ideas on implementing 🇪🇺 vision for European defence & space. Our work draws on the valuable findings of the Letta Report on the future of Single Market. It was great to share views on the importance of integration & interoperability in defence. #Cernobbio2025

Great exchange with Nouriel Roubini on the 🇪🇺 vision for European Defence Readiness. We discussed how Europe can take greater responsibility for its security and exchanged insights on major developments, industrial consolidation, and the importance of innovation.

Pleasure, as always, to meet Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs @PauloRangel_pt 🇵🇹 Stressed the importance of #SAFE and other Commission initiatives for strengthening European defence, and ramping up the 🇪🇺 defence industrial base, as well as support for Ukraine. #Cernobbio2025

Delighted to meet Thomas Byrne, Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence 🇮🇪, at #Cernobbio2025 In the face of current challenges, European solidarity is crucial, and we will continue working closely to deliver on European Defence Readiness 2030 🇪🇺

This year, we worked hard to strengthen our defence posture and boost our growth, innovation and job creation. From promise to progress, Europe is delivering for its citizens. Join me on 10 September for my State of the Union speech. Together, we will chart the way forward ↓ europa.eu/!QFj8Nd

Europe🇪🇺 must be ready for all possible contingencies! Great discussion with 🇩🇪 Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on our efforts preparing the Roadmap for achieving #DefenceReadiness 2030.

68% of EU citizens want 🇪🇺 to play a greater role in protecting them against security risks A strong Ukraine is the cornerstone of European security architecture With Minister Dr. Johann Wadephul 🇩🇪 we discussed more support for 🇺🇦, and #SAFE loans can help strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities

Great to meet again Minister Dorothee Bär 🇩🇪 to exchange on key priorities for space. Europe 🇪🇺 is preparing an ambitious approach for space this year starting with the Commission proposals for the next #MFF and ongoing work both for competitiveness and synergies with defence.

Dear President Dan, thank you for welcoming me to the military port and airbase of Constanța. Romania helps keep Europe safe in the airs and waters of the Black Sea. More than ever, your country is a key asset for Europe’s security.

If our deterrence and solidarity is weak, Russia and Belarus will be tempted to test our – the EU's – borders.  We are helping Member States to invest in defence, develop projects such as the Eastern Border Defence Shield, and protect our economic project - the Union itself 🇪🇺

We need to improve our defence posture, at speed and at scale. At the informal European Council in October, we’ll present our Roadmap for the next 5 years. Looking at defence investment and capacity gaps – and how to close them ↓ europa.eu/!nDBn8q

I’m here to reaffirm Europe’s solidarity with Lithuania. Europe needs a strong Lithuania to protect our borders and our people. That's why cohesion policy will remain at the heart of the EU budget. So we continue to support both border security and strong livelihoods.

Glad to hear that you’re planning on using SAFE to build new plants for shells and gunpowder. This is exactly what it’s for. To increase our production capacities. Ramp up deliveries to Ukraine. And create good jobs locally ↓ europa.eu/!49DGNt