attempts to use the power in the internet, the power in the world wide web, as well as the financial muscle to interfere and democracy, democratic policy demo in, in democracies here in europe. and part of that is what, what need i was just referring to that to the are in fact some endorsements coming from that side for particular political parties in europe, and stay with us. because we have also lived on the line, the head of the european commission, you were paying commission, present about to address meaning security conference. going to bring that to you live. it's this p c o it's, that's impossible. it seems to me possible. okay. like many of you, i've been coming here for many, many years and i see many familiar faces. i've been coming here from the times when it was an exclusively trans atlantic audience. to today, when we see political business and soft lead us from right across the world. this

is a testament not only to the great success of the munich security conference, but it also reflects on how the rest of the world impact. so security and our trans atlantic relationship our task to and unique is not just to describe this us to your political landscape about the shape it and shape as in a way that ensures that our trans atlantic values and your and our interest defended. because there is a clear attempt by some to build spheres of influence competing visions of the world daughter leading leading to a more transactional approach in global affairs. and europe has to change to thrive in this new reality. we have to be smart. so we have to be clear about what

is ahead of us from the rogue russia on our borders. 2 challenges to our summer entity and our security. and we should not underestimate the disruptive potential of intense competition or even a bipolar conflict between china and united states. this may be uncomfortable to hear, but this is a time for plain speech. the good news is that as we approach this new year of change, europe is already reforming depend on the war and ukraine. the full scale energy crisis have been brutal time for all of us. but then you also showed us also that when we adopt an urgency mentality,

we are forced that can move mountains from the live saving but seems to be on wavering support to ukraine or mustering the energy crisis. europe has shown that it's can meet the moment and we must adopt this urgency mentality, mo, permanency. and this is why what you'll see in the 1st 100 days of the new commission is the tone and the speed i intend to set for the whole mandate. with strengthening our competitiveness, we're stepping up on defense where enabling innovation for a i action is what really metro's and this new reality. and we know a strongly you off. this is better for all of us. i strongly europe works with the united states to deter the threats we have in common as partners.

and this is why we believe that trade wars and she wanted to terrace make no sense. the terror acts like to test drive inflation. the hardest hit are inevitably work because companies, the small income, the middle classes on both sides of the atlantic. and we know how quickly tower just kind of affect essential trans atlantic supply chains. we do not believe that this is good business and we want to avoid that below the race to the bottom. but as i've already made, clear, unjustified terrace on the european union will not go on and search unless

we speak plainly. we have one of the world's largest markets. we will use our tools to say, start our economic security and interest. and we will protest all workers of businesses and consumers at every turn. of course, we're ready to find a woman said, work for all to work together to make each other more prosperous and more secure. ladies and gentlemen, at the heart of this is of course defense and the security of ukraine, of our continent and of the wider world in this room, we all see let's what's at stake. this is a moment in history. grace challenges loom there

has been a lot of talk in the last few days, but it is always instructive to look beyond the works and to recognize that we are just at the beginning of this process. let's take stock of the starting position. conscious the approach taken by president zalinski and that of president 14 and the most difficult of circumstances presidency. lensky is prepared to work towards the piece that honors the sacrifice of his country and his phone and compact troops. as one of them is an empty set from the starch, you claim one's peas more than anyone else. one that is just and lasting. so that the horrors of the last 3 years. i'm not we visited

ever again. the, on the other hand, present, including says he's willing to meet but on what terms it is up to him to demonstrate that his interest is not to prolong this war. it is up to him to show that he has given up his ambition to destroy ukraine. and letting me be very clear, it's a failed, you frame would weaken europe, but it would also re, comes the united states, the it would intensify the challenges in the, in the pacific and switching all shared interests. because what you have seen is

the author only cherry guns on this world. i carefully watch whether there's any am showing a t. if you invade your neighbor and violate international borders, or whether there are real g turns. they are watching us very carefully. what actions we choose to take, and this is why it is so important that we get this right. ukraine needs peace through strength. bureau, one piece to strength. and president trump has made clear the united states is firmly committed to peace through strength. so i believe that by working together we can deliver that just and last piece. and there's a lot that you are already has brought to the table historic amounts actually

financially and military lead. the overall support amounts to 134000000000 euros. that is an equivalent of $140000000000.00. that is more than anybody else has contributed visions to $52000000000.00. so for military assistance on power with the united states, as we have put in place, hard shooting sanctions, substantially weakening, rushed us economy. we have broken one to boot after another and smashed our reliance on washing gas, making us more resilient, permanency. and we're about to do more. we're working with ukraine on that, you accession because ukraine is part of our, your pin family. and this is where the future lies. here in europe,

the ladies and gentlemen, this leads me to the discussions we have had in europe over the course of the last few weeks. maybe in the security circles in europe. we're confused. some even worried by the commons made by senior us official earlier this week. but we need to be honest to you and we need to avoid outrage and outcry. because if we listen to the substance of the remarks, we not only understand where they are coming from. but recognize there are some remarks we can agree on. because yes, both the united states and europe in union ones and then to the black shit,

we want to adjust the simplest and piece one that leads to a sun room and prosperous ukraine. and as you crane should be given solid security guarantees. but perhaps what resonates with me the most is the need for you, not only to speak frankly, but also to act accordingly. so let there be no room for any adult. i believe when it comes to your pin security, europe has to do more. you must bring more to the table and to achieve this, we need a search in european defense spending. the turn key, turn key, but you 27, no spending around 2 percent of g d, p on defense. and yes,

our defense spending went up from just over 200000000000 before the war to know over 320000000000 last year. but we will need to increase that number considerably once again. because from just below 2 percent, to above 3 percent will mean hundreds of billions of your more investment every year. so we need a bold approach. let's take one step back. in previous extraordinary crisis. look at what we did. we have the power to spend the states with extra fiscal room by activating the escape clause. in simpler terms, we empowered member state to substantially increase public investments link to the crisis. i believe we're now in another period of crisis,

which we're on a similar approach. and this is why i can't announce that i will propose to activate the escape clause for defense investments. this will allow member states to substantially increase their defense expenditure. of course, we will have to do this in a controlled and conditional way. and i will also propose a white, a package of tailor made tools to address the specific situation of each and every one of our member states from the current level of defense spending to the fiscal situation. second, for most of the defense package, we also need a european approach in setting our investment priorities.

this will allow the investments in much need of defense projects of common european interest. and certainly we will step up all work to accelerate the accession process of ukraine to the european union. we have made significant progress already. but again, now is the time to move mountains in the european union increase the spending possibility of the national budgets have common european funding for projects of common european interest and accelerate the accession process of ukraine. this must be the goal of the new york that is working for these goals. intensive, the messages you see, your, the deputy, you'll see europe stepping up. you'll see your making

a difference immediately. ladies and gentlemen, what is being discussed here today is altima key about us, our prosperity, our economy, our security, our ability to make good on europe and during promise of peace. it's all values do not change. they are universal. but because the world is changing, we have to adapt the way we act. we need to use that as more pragmatic, more focused, more each one bedroom counter. it's fred, one that leverage it's enormous strength and power. and one that is standing by you praying and it sparkles and there's a lot that these.