European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cautions that Europe is living in very dangerous times but rules out an imminent third world war.
Assessing Global Security Threats
Ursula von der Leyen, in an interview with journalists from the Leading European Newspaper Alliance (LENA), addressed concerns about the potential for a third world war. She stated that while she does not foresee an inevitable march towards a third world war, the current times are extremely dangerous.
Von der Leyen emphasized her commitment to preserving peace and freedom in Europe, highlighting the need to strengthen defensive capabilities in a world that is becoming increasingly hostile.
EU’s Defense Initiative
The European Commission President mentioned that the EU is mobilizing 800 billion euros for the defense industry and accelerating procedures to fill gaps in member countries’ defense capabilities. She stressed that Europe must be more autonomous and independent in terms of security.
Von der Leyen cited the recent incident where several Russian drones violated Polish airspace as an example of the serious situation Europe faces.
Trade and Sanctions
Regarding US President Donald Trump’s call for the EU to impose 100% tariffs on goods from India and China, von der Leyen stated that the EU will make its own decisions on the matter.
She also discussed the EU’s 19th package of sanctions against Russia, aimed at increasing pressure on Moscow to end the war in Ukraine.
Russian LNG Imports
The European Commission has proposed banning imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) into European markets as part of its latest sanctions package. This ban aims to take effect by January 1, 2027.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude for the EU’s consideration of Ukraine’s proposals in the sanctions package and called for strong sanctions from the United States as well.
