At the Munich Security Conference, Ursula von der Leyen laid out a bold vision for a more independent and militarily capable Europe. Citing Russia’s war in Ukraine, rising global rivalries and pressure on democracies, she argued Europe must take primary responsibility for its own security. From massive defense spending plans to new partnerships and faster decision-making, the message signaled a strategic shift. With Ukraine as a frontline lesson and industry as a backbone, her roadmap hints at big changes ahead for Europe’s role in global power politics and the transatlantic alliance.