The European Union had considered the issue of further defense cooperation on several occasions, however, as long as London opposed any such plans, these remained stagnant. Only a few days after the UK vote to leave the EU, Ursula von der Leyen presented Germany’s new strategic doctrine, which was approved by the government, called for a deeper cooperation on defense issues.
 
“It's time to move forward to a European defense union, which is basically a Schengen of defense”, Ursula von der Leyen told reporters in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, during her visit. “That is what the Americans expect us to do” the German minister added.
 
German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently endorsed the idea of more joint military operations with the three Baltic republics, all NATO and EU members which have felt especially vulnerable following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. In fact Germany already has close military ties with many states outside NATO structures.
 
“When we have threats that are surrounding us, we all know no country by its own will be able to manage that. But we together, we Europeans, we are very strong if we improve our capabilities as Europeans” von der Leyen said.
 
Germany will lead a battle group of 1.000 troops in the Baltic state of Lithuania as deterrence against neighboring Russia. The group will also operate air defenses when it is deployed early next year. Dutch and French forces are expected to join, the minister announced.
 
NATO leaders agreed in July to move four battalions totaling 3.000 to 4.000 troops to the Baltic States and eastern Poland for the first time and to increase air and sea patrols to reassure those countries following Russia's seizure of Crimea.