is chasing a defence partnership with Australia as Brussels continues to forge an international response to counteract any Russian offensive on the continent.

A similar bilateral defence Partnership was co-signed by Japan and South Korea in November 2024, owing to geopolitical shifts in the region, such as China's rapid military modernisation and .

Ursula von der Leyen highlighted this recent agreement when discussing a similar arrangement with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Rome, at the weekend.

"We see you as a strategic partner," von der Leyen told the Australian PM as world leaders gathered following Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass.

In a four-minute video, the European Commission President reiterated the important role Australia plays for the bloc and its desire to add to it.

"We would very much like to broaden this strategic partnership. We would be very pleased if we could develop such a security and defence partnership too," she explained.

Albanese, who was re-elected in May, said his country and the European Union would continue to "stand together with the people of Ukraine."

He added: "We have common values as well, which in today's uncertain world... is so important."

The EU has raced to strengthen its ties with allies as US President Donald Trump continues to flirt with the idea of the world's strongest military pulling away from its NATO commitments, leaving Europe weakened to any potential Russian invasion.

The bloc has also aimed to improve relations with India in recent months, further boosting its standing in Asia, given its deal with both South Korea and Japan.

The UK signed a comprehensive defence deal, known as Aukus, with Australia and the US in 2021, intended to "promote a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable", which saw Australia acquire nuclear-powered attack submarines.