Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the empires and autocracies back in Europe. This was stated by the Chairwoman of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at the European Economic Congress in Katowice.
In her speech alongside Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, von der Leyen emphasized that she stands for a European Union that is ready to do everything to protect Europe and Ukraine in particular.
“Putin’s war is about redrawing the map of Europe, but it is also a war against our Union and against the entire rules-based world system,” said von der Leyen.
Putin wants to regain the empire and autocratic rule over Europe and its citizens, and there should be no illusions about the Russian president’s intentions.
Putin, meanwhile, renewed his oath of office for a fifth term, made possible by a constitutional change in 2020.
In addition to Tusk, von der Leyen called for Europe to spend more on its own defense and invest in the European defense industry given the security threats posed by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“The defense of Europe is a task for all of Europe,” she said, adding that there can be no real security without a strong economy.
If re-elected, von der Leyen said she would propose a series of defense projects of common European interest “to ensure that major projects can be planned, built and used on European soil.”
She also announced that she would introduce a defense portfolio in her next commission, with Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski (PO, EPP) seen as the favorite.
“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 a malicious person can pretend that everything is as it used to be,” he emphasized.
“Europe can and must” avoid the conflict that has worsened in recent years, particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. To do this, it must translate its economic success into better defense capacities.
“We in Poland not only understand this very well, we are also becoming better prepared.”
Poland spends almost 4 percent of its gross domestic product on defense, which is relatively the highest among NATO members.
Tusk called on the EU to make at least 100 billion euros available for the EU’s common defense.
He welcomed the planned creation of the post of Defense Commissioner and called on the EU to ensure the effective defense of European airspace.
“Europe will be safe if there are safe skies over Europe,” he added.