Von der Leyen: A strong Europe means a strong NATO

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed today Europe's plans to increase defense spending, stressing that this would also strengthen the European pillar within NATO.

"Europe must become more independent, it must do more for its own defense. A strong Europe also means a strong NATO," she said during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Munich.

Responding to US President Donald Trump's criticism of European allies for not sharing NATO's financial burden, von der Leyen stressed that EU member states have begun to significantly increase defense investments and spending.

"Last year, we did more for defense in Europe than in the previous ten years," she said. "In the last seven-year budget, 8 billion euros were allocated for defense. Last year, we mobilized 800 billion euros for European defense, in order to close the gaps that we have," von der Leyen added.

She said the SAFE program will be key to supporting joint defense industry projects between EU member states and partners.

Von der Leyen, Rutte and Wadephul then attended the "Transatlantic Forum" hosted by the Bavarian Prime Minister and leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU) party, Markus Soeder.

The leaders gathered in the southeastern German city to attend the annual Munich Security Conference, a high-profile meeting of world leaders, defense ministers and security experts.