Putin wants to see empires, autocracies back in Europe, warns von der Leyen in Poland

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to see empires and autocracies back in Europe, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Economic Congress in Katowice.

Speaking alongside Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, von der Leyen insisted that she stands for a European Union that is ready to do whatever it takes to protect Europe, and especially Ukraine.

“Putin’s war is about redrawing the map of Europe, but it is also a war on our Union and on the entire global rules-based system,” she said.

According to her, Putin wants to bring back empire and autocratic rule over Europe and its citizens, adding that there should be no illusions about the Russian president’s intentions.

Meanwhile, Putin renewed his oath for a fifth term in office, which was made possible by constitutional amendments passed in 2020.

Alongside Tusk, von der Leyen called for Europe to spend more on its own defence and invest in the European defence industry amid security threats posed by Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“Europe’s defence is a task for all of Europe,” she said, adding that there can be no real security without a strong economy.

If re-elected as president of the Commission, von der Leyen said she would propose a series of defence projects of common European interest “to ensure that major projects can get off the ground and can be designed, built and deployed on European soil.”

She also announced that in her next Commission, she would introduce a defence commissioner’s portfolio, with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski (PO, EPP) tipped as a favourite.

“If Europe had been better prepared, if Europe and European leaders had had enough imagination years ago (…), then perhaps Russia would not have dared to attack our friend Ukraine,” Tusk said at the congress.

“Today, only a blind person or someone with bad will can pretend that everything is as before,” he stressed.

“Europe can and must” avoid the conflict that has been growing in recent years, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. To do so, it must turn its economic success into better defence capabilities, he insisted.

“We in Poland not only understand this very well, but we are increasingly prepared.”

Poland spends almost 4% of its GDP on defence, which, in relative terms, is the highest level among NATO members. Tusk also called on the EU to set aside at least €100 billion for the bloc’s common defence.

While welcoming the planned creation of a defence commissioner position, Tusk urged the EU to ensure the effective defence of Europe’s skies.

“Europe will be safe provided there are safe skies over Europe,” he added.

(Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | Euractiv.pl)

Read more with Euractiv

Slovakia wants to be bridge between Azerbaijan and EU, Fico says

Slovakia wants to act as a bridge between Azerbaijan and the European Union, said Prime Minister Robert Fico as he made his first trip outside the EU since his re-election last year, visiting Azerbaijan in the hope of supporting the Slovak economy and strengthening bilateral relations.