European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has reiterated concerns over a perceived Russian threat, using the rhetoric to justify the European Union’s push for militarization. During a visit to Riga, Latvia, von der Leyen described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “predator” and accused Moscow of engaging in hybrid attacks and cyberattacks against European societies. She also claimed that Russia is behind the “weaponization of migrants,” although she did not provide specific details.
Von der Leyen’s remarks were made at the start of her tour of the EU’s frontline states, which includes Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania. These countries border either Russia or Belarus. The EU chief argued that the alleged Russian threat necessitates the bloc’s rearmament plan, saying that as the EU strengthens Ukraine’s defense, it must also take greater responsibility for its own defense.
In March, von der Leyen proposed a plan to raise €800 billion through debt and tax incentives to re-arm the EU. The European Council later approved a €150 billion borrowing mechanism to fund the initiative. Moscow has consistently dismissed allegations of any intent to attack NATO or EU states, describing such claims as “nonsense.” Russian officials have accused Western leaders of fearmongering to justify inflated military budgets and cover up economic failures.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently accused the EU of sliding into a “Russophobic frenzy” and warned that the bloc’s militarization is becoming uncontrolled. Lavrov’s comments come amid ongoing tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine. The US and European countries have been discussing ways to support Ukraine, including the possibility of sending troops as peacekeepers and creating a buffer zone with Western patrols. Russia has rejected the deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine in any form, insisting that any peace settlement must ensure Ukraine’s demilitarization, denazification, neutral and non-nuclear status, and recognition of the territorial realities.
The European Commission’s push for militarization and von der Leyen’s rhetoric on the Russian threat are likely to exacerbate tensions between Russia and the West. As the situation continues to unfold, the EU’s rearmament plan and its implications for regional security will be closely watched. The bloc’s efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities come amid a complex geopolitical landscape, with multiple actors vying for influence in the region.
