Von der Leyen proposes European Security Council with partner states

September 16, 2026 at 07:59 PM2 min

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed creating a European Security Council that would include leaders of EU member states and partner countries. She made the proposal during her annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament. The initiative also calls for an EU-wide alert mechanism independent of NATO to respond to hybrid threats.

Key Facts

The proposed European Security Council would include representatives from Canada, Norway, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
Von der Leyen called for an EU alert mechanism independent of NATO, under which activation by one member state would trigger mandatory emergency consultations among all 27 EU countries.
The European Commission chief also proposed opening a path to associate EU membership for Canada, addressing Prime Minister Mark Carney directly.
The EU plans to provide humanitarian aid, strengthen energy and heating supplies, and bolster air defense systems for Ukraine ahead of winter.

Security Council Proposal

Von der Leyen unveiled the proposal during her annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament. The new body would bring together leaders of EU member states and partner countries, with Canada, Norway, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom named as prospective participants. She said the creation of such a platform had become an urgent necessity given the nature and scale of existing risks to the continent.

Hybrid Threat Response

The European Commission president urged the formation of an EU-wide alert mechanism independent of NATO for joint response to hybrid threats. If one member state activates the mechanism, all 27 EU countries would be required to begin mandatory emergency consultations. The system is intended to complement Article 4 of the NATO Treaty amid a rise in cyberattacks, sabotage, and drone incidents.

Canada and Ukraine

Von der Leyen also proposed opening a path to associate EU membership for Canada, addressing Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was present. Current EU treaties do not provide for such a status, but the idea of associate membership has been actively discussed in European political circles recently. On Ukraine, the EU intends to provide humanitarian assistance, support energy and heating supplies, and strengthen the country's air defense systems ahead of winter.