Skip to main content
France and Germany called for unified EU military at Nato summit
French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly (left) and German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen

FRENCH and German war ministers Florence Parly and Ursula von der Leyen called for the European Union to “speak with one voice” militarily at the Munich Security Conference at the weekend.

Ms von der Leyen said a unified European “defence pact” would not undermine the US-led alliance but would “harmonise the troops and increase our interoperability within Nato.

“It is about a Europe that can add more weight militarily so that it can carry more responsibility — also within Nato,” she insisted.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
US President Donald Trump during a press conference at Chequers, near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, on day two of the president's second state visit to the UK. Picture date: Thursday September 18, 2025
Features / 27 September 2025
27 September 2025

In Washington, the willingness to accept an open war with Russia is growing — at Europe’s expense. While Nato states are being drawn into confrontation, Europe risks becoming the battlefield of a potential world war, warns SEVIM DAGDELEN

Monica Crowley, White House chief of protocol (obstructed at left) greets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, upon arriving to meet with President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, August 18, 2025
Features / 28 August 2025
28 August 2025

US tariffs have had Von der Leyen bowing in submission, while comments from the former European Central Bank leader call for more European political integration and less individual state sovereignty. All this adds up to more pain and austerity ahead, argues NICK WRIGHT