Von der Leyen Pitches EU-Canada 'Associate Membership' and New Security Council Amid Hybrid Threats
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her annual State of the Union address in Strasbourg, proposing a new 'associate membership' status for Canada, a European Security Council, and an emergency protocol for hybrid attacks. She also announced initiatives on climate resilience, digital safety, and migration management, framing Europe's response to global instability as a path toward greater sovereignty.