Kremlin says proposed 'European Defence Union' is sign of EU's militarisation

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Moscow, Russia December 7, 2023. Sputnik/Sergei Bobylev/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Thursday that pledges by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to create "a true European Defence Union" if she won a second term spoke to the mood in Europe towards militarisation and confrontation.

In a document setting out her programme ahead of a European Parliament vote on granting her another term, Von der Leyen said the effort would include flagship projects on air and cyber defence over the next five years.