EU chief proposes a European Security Council with partners including Ukraine, Canada, and the U.K. — plus a threat-alert system independent of NATO

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed creating a European Security Council that would bring together EU leaders and their counterparts from partner countries such as Canada, Norway, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. She unveiled the proposal during her annual address to the European Parliament.

“For a long time, we have discussed a leaders’ format focused on the security of our continent with partners like Ukraine, the U.K., Norway, Canada and others involved,” von der Leyen said. “This is even more urgent now, given the nature and scale of the risks at play — this is why we will set out our ideas to make a European Security Council a reality,” she said. “The urgency is clear.”

The European Commission president also called for Europe to create an alert mechanism independent of NATO to coordinate responses to security threats that fall short of armed aggression. Under the proposal, all 27 EU countries would be required to begin consultations if one member state activated the mechanism.

Von der Leyen said the mechanism would complement NATO’s Article 4, which allows allies to request emergency consultations over incidents that do not constitute armed conflict but may threaten their security or territory.

“Europe needs its own counter-hybrid playbook,” she said, adding that there was an urgent need for consensus on how to respond to certain incidents. The number of cyberattacks, acts of sabotage and arson, and drone incursions into EU territory is increasing every day, she said, according to Deutsche Welle.

Von der Leyen also called for Canada to be granted associate membership in the European Union. The proposal drew applause in the European Parliament, according to Reuters.

“I said we must urgently reimagine our partnerships. So, I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU,” von der Leyen said, addressing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was in the chamber.

According to DW, EU treaties do not provide for associate membership, though the possibility has been discussed more frequently in recent months. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, among others, has proposed the idea for Ukraine.

Von der Leyen said the EU would provide Ukraine with “the most extensive support” this coming winter, which she said would be the most difficult for the country since the start of the Russian invasion. Specifically, the EU will provide humanitarian aid, bolster Ukraine’s electricity and heat supplies, and strengthen its air defenses.

In recent months, concerns have grown in Europe that Russia could attack a country on NATO’s eastern flank, such as one of the Baltic states. Vladimir Putin has said Russia has no intention of threatening European countries, contrary to claims by “European elites.” He also warned European countries against deploying troops to Ukraine, saying that “this would mean war with Russia.”