Von der Layen: Russian danger will not disappear, we know how to negotiate Putin
European Commission President Ursula von der Layen said that Europe should take its defense seriously because the Russian danger will not disappear.
She spoke at the congress of the European People’s Party, whose vice president is in the Spanish city of Valencia on Tuesday.
« The threat caused by Russia will not disappear and we know that the US focus will increasingly shift to other regions. So, there is no doubt, peace in Europe requires us to take much more responsibility for our own defense, » said von der Lyen.
She urged Europe to strengthen its support for Ukraine – military and financial, giving it a prospect of EU membership and thus enhance pressure against Russia.
« We all saw Putin negotiate. Only two weeks ago, on Tsvetnitsa, Putin fired ballistic missiles on people who go to church. He repeatedly proved that he could not be trusted and that he could only be deterred. For a fair and lasting peace, we must continue to support Ukraine, » von Der Layen said.
| « We do not invade our neighbors and do not punish them, » she continued. |
She attacked the far right and the far -left parties that they were opposed to initiatives to strengthen the European defense and the construction of a defense union, which was the dream of De Gasperi, Schumann and Adenauer and accusing them that they wanted to boycott « Europe ».
« They say that Russia is not a threat and Europe is not the answer. Let me be clear: only a strong Europe can protect peace on our continent. Ears and far-right are not for peace, they are just pro-Putin. »
The unpredictable Trump
Von der Layen did not save criticism of US President Donald Trump, saying that his administration is pursuing an « unpredictable customs policy », which will increase the shopping bills, drug prices and transport and increase inflation, affecting the most vulnerable citizens.
In Rome Trump and von der Layen have agreed to meet
She said the EU would counteract it by speeding up negotiations to conclude new trade agreements and by strengthening its own market, eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic burden on business.
Von der Lyen: The crisis showed how important the EU’s single market is
Von der Layen emphasized Europe’s commitment to academic freedom, insisting that « controversial debates in our universities are welcome, » apparently contacting the disputes in which the Trump administration has entered some of the most prestigious American universities.
The US president has introduced stricter provisions and threatens to freeze or reduce federal funding, unless universities comply with the requirements of his administration. The EU is preparing to launch a campaign to attract researchers from US universities in Europe.
« We consider the freedom of science and research as fundamental … We want scientists and researchers from all over the world to make Europe their home. And to make Europe a home of innovation again, » von Der Lyen told his party members.
