EU Chief Views US as Allies Despite Differences

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed the United States as a vital ally for Europe, notwithstanding recent reductions in aid to Ukraine. She underscored the importance of a robust transatlantic alliance. Von der Leyen noted the EU's reliance on U.S. weaponry during Ukraine's defense against Russia and outlined plans to raise European defense spending to €800 billion. She stressed the significance of obtaining military equipment from trusted partners to prevent excessive dependencies and vulnerabilities, characterizing the recent suspension of U.S. aid as a 'wake-up call.' Additionally, von der Leyen distinguished the European Union's relationship with the U.S. from that with China, declaring that there is no need to 'de-risk' the partnership with America.