Dressed in a yellow jacket and a blue blouse, Ursula von der Leyen had, for the occasion, adopted the colors of Ukraine, matching those of the European flag. The proof by the image that the war led by Russia was at the heart of the speech on the state of the Union that the President of the European Commission, delivered, Wednesday, September 14, before the Parliament of Strasbourg.
A few hours before going to kyiv for the third time, the former minister of Angela Merkel wanted to show a Europe ready to welcome Ukraine, which obtained the status of candidate for membership in June. The exchanges within the hemicycle were also exceptionally translated into the language of Volodymyr Zelensky, and the wife of the Ukrainian president, Olena Zelenska, attended.
Beyond the symbols, the announcements of Ursula von der Leyen were undoubtedly not up to the expectations of kyiv. At no time did it commit to new sanctions against Moscow, nor to the release of new military aid. Ukraine makes “part of our family”, she launched, without being more concrete on the path that awaits kyiv before being able to join the European Union (EU). We have to end it “Sunday Speeches”judged Manfred Weber, the president of the European People’s Party group in Parliament, “We need a winter of solidarity. Solidarity above all with Ukraine. More weapons, more money, more solidarity”.
Reassure Europeans
In reality, on Wednesday, Ursula von der Leyen was first addressing Europeans, as the war threatens growth regained after the Covid-19 pandemic and drives prices up. 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.
“It’s a war about our values and our future”launched the President of the Commission, before defending the results of the sanctions, which put ” tattered ” Russian industry. ‘Russian army salvages chips from dishwashers and refrigerators to repair military equipment as it runs out of semiconductors’she notably illustrated.
It is Vladimir Putin who “manipulates” the energy market and artificially inflates prices, she continued. However, Europeans cannot stop at this observation if they want to win the war of opinion and, above all, avoid a social revolt coupled with a heavy recession. Ursula von der Leyen therefore returned on Wednesday to how the Commission intended to fight against rising gas and electricity bills.
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