Ursula von der Leyen will propose establishing a European Security Council during her State of the Union address (Euractiv)

Ursula von der Leyen will propose on Wednesday, in the European Parliament, a major change to the security architecture of Europe and the Western NATO alliance. The proposal will be presented in the annual State of the European Union address, according to a draft seen in advance by Euractiv.

The President of the European Commission is expected to advocate creating a new international format for coordinating responses to the growing number of security threats. This structure should include the member states of the European Union, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Norway, Canada, and other partner countries.

The novelty lies in the idea of a permanent or recurring meeting of the leaders of these states, intended to strengthen political and strategic cooperation beyond existing mechanisms. The format would support the coordination of responses to risks affecting European security and the Western order.

Wednesday’s speech will indicate the European Commission’s political direction in a context marked by the war in Ukraine, pressure on the eastern flank, and intensifying international threats. Details regarding the composition, responsibilities, and operation of the new format are to be clarified later.