European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on September 14, 2022. FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP
Dressed in a yellow jacket and blue blouse, Ursula von der Leyen had adopted the colors of Ukraine for the occasion, matching those of the European flag. Proof by image that the war waged by Russia was at the heart of the State of the Union address delivered by the President of the European Commission to Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday 14 September.
A few hours before his third trip to Kyiv, Angela Merkel’s former minister wanted to show a Europe ready to welcome Ukraine, which was granted candidate country status in June. The exchange in the Chamber was exceptionally translated into the language of Volodymyr Zelensky and the wife of the President of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, took part.
Beyond the symbols, Ursula von der Leyen’s announcements undoubtedly did not live up to Kiev’s expectations. It has never committed itself to new sanctions against Moscow or to the release of new military aid. Ukraine is “part of our family,” she said, without specifying the path ahead for Kyiv before it can join the European Union (EU). We have to put an end to “Sunday speeches”, said Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People’s Party in Parliament, “we need a winter of solidarity. Solidarity especially with Ukraine. More guns, more money, more solidarity”.
reassure Europeans
In reality, Ursula von der Leyen first addressed Europeans on Wednesday as war threatens growth regained after the Covid-19 pandemic and drives up prices. In this context, she knows that she must first reassure her fellow citizens, especially as some populist parties blame European action for the energy crisis and the coming recession.
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“It’s a war about our values and our future,” said the commission president, before defending the results of sanctions that have “torn apart” Russian industry. “The Russian army collects chips from dishwashers and refrigerators to repair their military equipment because of a shortage of semiconductors,” she particularly illustrated.
It is Vladimir Putin who is “manipulating” the energy market and artificially inflating prices, she continued. However, the Europeans must not stop at this observation if they want to win the war of opinions and, above all, want to avoid a social revolt coupled with a severe recession. Ursula von der Leyen therefore came back on Wednesday to how the Commission intends to tackle rising gas and electricity bills.
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