Von der Leyen announces plans to appoint EU Defense Commissioner at Prague conference

The Globsec security conference, opened in Prague on Friday with keynote speeches by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Czech President Petr Pavel.

The EU chief called for continued support for Ukraine and a stronger European defense pillar. She said Russia’s war on Ukraine had been a wake-up call for Europe, noting that while she could not overemphasize the importance of NATO and US support, protecting Europe was first and foremost Europe's duty. “If we want true peace, we must fundamentally rethink the foundation of Europe's security architecture,” von der Leyen said, and announced her intension to appoint a fully-fledged Defence Commissioner in the next Commission.

Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of continued support for Ukraine, saying that those who argue to stop support for the country do not argue for peace but for appeasement and the subjugation of Ukraine.

Another keynote speaker at the conference, Czech President Petr Pavel, echoed those sentiments, saying that there is still room for greater effectiveness in helping Ukraine, strengthening anti-Russian sanctions and weakening the ability of Russian industry to support the war.

The Globsec conference is attended by close to a dozen prime ministers and presidents and twenty defense and foreign ministers from across Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. This year's main theme, "How to Calm the Storm," focuses on security and international relations.