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Von der Leyen in Munich: ‘Russia is a rogue, Europe must change’

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the importance of ensuring a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. Alongside Bavarian President Markus Söder (CSU), she emphasised that the ongoing war directly affects Europe, which will have to take responsibility for the security and reconstruction of the country. ‘We stand firmly by Ukraine,’ he said, explaining that the goal is to allow Kiev to negotiate the end of the conflict from a position of strength. ‘The future of Ukraine is also the future of Europe,’ he added.

The Russian threat and the need for change

Von der Leyen used harsh tones towards Russia, calling it a ‘rogue’ on Europe’s borders and stating that the Union must adapt to a new geopolitical reality. ‘We are not just here to describe the current landscape, but to shape it so that our transatlantic values endure and our interests are defended,’ she said. According to the Commission President, the world is increasingly divided into spheres of influence, and Europe must be ready to face the challenges posed by Moscow and the tensions between the US and China. ‘Now is the time to speak clearly,’ she said, urging European countries not to underestimate the scale of the risk.

Defence investments and speeding up Ukraine’s accession

A central passage of the speech concerned the need to strengthen European defence. Von der Leyen called on member states to significantly increase military spending and announced a package of measures to support these investments. ‘We need defence resources of common European interest,’ he said, emphasising the urgency of adopting a shared approach. He went on to reiterate that Ukraine’s accession to the EU must be accelerated, seeing it as a strategic issue for the continent’s stability.

The global consequences of a defeated Ukraine

Von der Leyen warned that a defeat of Kiev would weaken not only Europe, but also the US, creating instability in the Indo-Pacific and encouraging other authoritarian regimes to violate international borders without consequences. ‘The eyes of the world are on this war to see if there is a real deterrent against aggression,’ she explained. She reiterated that peace can only be achieved through force and quoted President Trump, emphasising the shared commitment to ensure an international balance that deters further hostile actions.

Putin’s role and the conditions for peace

In the closing lines of his speech, von der Leyen echoed Volodymyr Zelensky’s words that Ukraine wants a just and lasting peace to prevent a repeat of the horrors of the past three years. He then pointed his finger at Vladimir Putin, saying that it is up to the Russian leader to prove that he does not want to prolong the conflict and that he has renounced his goal of destroying Ukraine. ‘If he really wants peace, he must prove it with facts,’ he concluded.

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