EU chief calls for European Security Council and closer Canada ties

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for a new European Security Council to strengthen the EU's security. The council would include countries such as Britain, Ukraine, and Canada. Von der Leyen also proposed closer ties with Canada, including potentially making it the EU's first associate member.

According to Free Malaysia Today, von der Leyen mentioned that Europe is facing "hybrid attacks" from Russia, which aims to undermine support for Ukraine. She emphasized the need for a "counter-hybrid playbook" and an "emergency security protocol" to respond to threats that fall below armed aggression but still threaten national security.

Von der Leyen's proposals also aim to reduce the EU's reliance on other countries for trade, technology, and critical materials, and to support Ukraine through the winter. CBC News and Le Monde English reported that von der Leyen discussed opening the door for Canada to become an associate member of the EU, with Le Monde English specifically mentioning a conversation with Canadian Prime Minister, however his first name was not provided in the reports.

Brief written by urgent.news from RFI English, CBC News, Free Malaysia Today, Le Monde English — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.