Six takeaways as Ursula von der Leyen marks 100 days in office

Ursula von der Leyen has marked the first 100 days of her second mandate at the helm of the European Commission with an hour-long press conference. It opened on a bleak note, with a description of a world where decades-old certainties are crumbling and sweeping transformations are pitting nations against each other.

"What has changed in these 100 days is the new sense of urgency. Because something fundamental has shifted," she said in her address to reporters in Brussels.

"Our European values – democracy, freedom, and the rule of law – are under threat. We see that sovereignty but also ironclad commitments are being called into question. Everything has become transactional."

But, she quickly added, the dismal outlook should not be a reason to fall into despair and allow Europe's fate to slip through its fingers and be written by someone else. Instead, she urged bolder and faster action to seize a "once-in-a-generation chance to build a stronger, more secure and more prosperous Europe."

Here are the key takeaways from the press conference.

She still thinks of the US as an ally

In less than two months, Donald Trump's return to the White House has proven exceedingly disruptive for Europe. The Republican has threatened to slap steep tariffs on EU-made goods, use military force and economic coercion to annex Greenland and retaliate against foreign regulations that curb Big Tech's powers, among other things.

Most worryingly for Brussels, his White House has bulldozed the transatlantic front on Russia's war on Ukraine, launching negotiations with President Vladimir Putin without any coordination with Europe. Trump's embrace of Russian talking points, his harsh rhetoric against Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and his recent decision to temporarily suspend military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine have deeply rattled Europeans, who fear Washington and Moscow might thrash out a deal behind their backs.

Despite everything that has happened, von der Leyen insists the US is still an ally but recognises a growing number of friction points between the two sides of the Atlantic.

"In the face of adversity, the US and Europe have always been stronger together," she said. "Yes, there are differences. We might have different views on some topics, but if you look at the common interests that we have, they always outweigh our differences. So I think it's important that we work together (...) and find common avenues."

Von der Leyen called on Europe to do its "homework" and assume the responsibility of defending itself without being dependent on America, which is one of Trump's most repeated grievances. "Being allies does not mean there's an imbalance in the responsibility or the burden that has been shared," she said.

Asked if her Commission would seek to "de-risk" EU-US relations the same way it has done with EU-China relations, von der Leyen said: "A clear no."

"It's a completely different relationship we have with the United States than we have with China," she explained. "Therefore, a clear answer."

But she's already searching for new partners

The US might still be an ally in von der Leyen's eyes, but that does not mean she cannot go out in search of more. Throughout the press conferences, the Commission chief underlined several times the importance of striking new partnerships and alliances with other countries around the world.

When it comes to defence, she name-checked the United Kingdom and Norway as two partners that are ideologically and geographically close to the bloc and can contribute to the overall goal of rearming the continent against Russia's expansionism.

Both the UK and Norway are already involved in the formation of a coalition of the willing to provide security guarantees for Ukraine and safeguard a potential peace deal. Turkey, a country that has had multiple ups and downs with Brussels, is also part of the talks, an inclusion that has been met with strong scepticism from Greece and Cyprus.

When it comes to the economy, von der Leyen hailed recent trade agreements with Switzerland, Mexico and Mercosur, and progress made in the negotiations with Malaysia, the Caribbean and India, which she visited last week.

"For me, forging these partnerships is essential. Because we learned the very hard way that sourcing the products we need from partners we trust is the best way to avoid overdependencies, vulnerabilities and blackmail," she said, referring to the manipulation of energy supplies launched by the Kremlin in 2022.

She no longer rules out common debt for defence

Earlier this week, von der Leyen presented the Rearm Europe plan to mobilise up to €800 billion in defence spending over the coming years. The package, which was endorsed by EU leaders a few days later, features €150 billion in fresh loans that the Commisison will raise on the financial market and later distribute among member states.

Should common debt for common grants be the next step, as the bloc did in 2020 when it established the COVID-19 recovery fund?

"Nothing is off the table. I'm open to whatever is necessary," she answered.

She then noted that starting a new debate at the current stage was "too early" and that, as a first step, she would focus on delivering a "concrete, legal proposal" to raise the €150 billion in loans, "which will be tricky enough."

"Nothing is off the table," she repeated. "This is the decision of member states."

Von der Leyen's remarks represent a tangible shift in opinion. For the past year, the Commission chief had been publicly reluctant to endorse the idea of "Eurobonds" for defence spending, which continued to gain traction and new proponents, but remained anathema for Germany, the Netherlands and Austria.

However, America's pivot towards Moscow and Germany's determination to break free from fiscal constraints appeared to have changed von der Leyen's mind.

She has a preference for 'Buy European'

As the EU seeks money to rearm, another crucial question emerges: Where should the money be spent?

The bloc currently buys about 80% of its defence equipment from non-EU suppliers, with a large share coming from American companies. The huge percentage has become a cause for concern for EU leaders, who want to increase self-reliance and autonomy.

France has demanded a "Buy European" clause in any rearmament plan to promote the development of domestic industries and the creation of local jobs. Poland and the Baltic states prefer to prioritise speed, arguing that purchases should be done with suppliers able to deliver at the fastest possible pace, regardless of their location.

The debate is set to intensify during negotiations of the "Rearm Europe" plan.

On Sunday, von der Leyen expressed a preference for "Buy European" but warned that the approach should be "gradual," without losing sight of the urgency to procure weapons and ammunition, particularly for Ukraine.

"If 80% (of the €800 billion) goes abroad, it's good for other regions but not for the European Union," she said. "I'm aware of the fact that this is a gradual increase of 'Buy European' and that we have to think about what includes Europe," she added, speaking of the UK and Norway as possible countries to be added to the scheme.

"We have to think smartly how we do this, but it has to deliver on research, development and good jobs here in Europe, it's for me very important," she said, calling for a "rethink" of the EU's industrial base to foster more cross-border cooperation.

She wants to establish a 'Security College'

Sunday's press conference played out more as a round-up of initiatives and projects that were already known. There was, though, one new announcement.

Von der Leyen said she would establish a "Security College," a novel format for her European Commissioners to receive regular updates from intelligence services on relevant security developments and "be ahead of the curve."

The approach to security will be all-encompassing, covering threats related to energy, research, cyberspace, trade, migration, foreign interference and any other possible topic, she explained. All 27 members of the College will take part in the format.

"We need to switch into a preparedness mindset," she said. "Only if we have a clear and in-depth understanding of the threats, including hybrid threats, can we effectively contribute to collective security."

Asked when the first "Security College" would convene, von der Leyen could not give a specific date but said it would happen "in due time" and meet "often" in the future.

She remains with Ukraine through 'thick and thin'

Despite the heavy focus on defence and plenty of questions about Donald Trump, Ukraine did not feature prominently in Sunday's press conference.

Still, von der Leyen made sure to emphasise the EU's long-standing support for the country, touting figures of military assistance (€52 billion) "on par" with the US.

"Here we will have to step up, without any question," she said, referring to Trump's decision to temporarily suspend military aid and intelligence sharing.

The "Rearm Europe" plan of €800 billion would also benefit Ukraine because it would allow member states to procure weapons and ammunition more rapidly, she added.

Asked if Ukraine should feel confident of Europe's future support ahead of its talks with the US in Saudi Arabia, von der Leyen said it should because of her close relation with President Zelenskyy, with whom she has gone "through thick and thin."

"We know that we are reliable for each other in crises and extraordinary situations and that we can, most of the time, not always, find solutions by working very closely together," she said.

Von der Leyen said the strongest security guarantee for Ukraine would be NATO membership, but that was "not possible" due to Trump's stated opposition. Hungary and Slovakia, the two member states most friendly to Russia, are also vigorously against it. A "second" security guarantee, she said, would be a "well-equipped, functioning" Ukrainian army. She did not mention a peacekeeping mission, which was been touted by the UK, France and other allies.

"This is a common learning process," she admitted. "Because these are uncharted waters and together, we have to find the right solution."