Von der Leyen re-elected as president of the European Commission: during her confirmation speech she spoke about Ukraine and criticized Orban's “appeasement mission” in Moscow
Kyiv • UNN
The European Parliament has approved Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as President of the European Commission. She will lead the main executive body of the EU and the legislative process for another five years.
The European Parliament has approved Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as president of the European Commission, the European institution said on Thursday, UNN reports.
The European Parliament has confirmed Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as President of the European Commission. She will have five more years to steer legislation while leading the EU's chief executive
During her speech in the European Parliament before her confirmation, von der Leyen spoke about security in Europe, Ukraine, and criticized Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visit to Moscow, calling it a "mission of appeasement.
"We must invest more in our security and defence. Russia is still on the offensive in East Ukraine. They are banking on a war of attrition, on making the next winter even harsher than the last. Russia is banking on Europe and the West going soft. And some, in Europe, are playing along. Two weeks ago, an EU Prime Minister went to Moscow. This so-called peace mission was nothing but an appeasement mission. Only two days later, Putin's jets aimed their missiles at a children's hospital and maternity ward in Kyiv. We all saw the images of children covered in blood, and mothers trying to bring young cancer patients to safety. That strike was not a mistake. It was a message. A chilling message from the Kremlin to all of us. So, Honourable Members, our answer has to be just as clear. No one wants peace more than the people of Ukraine. A just and lasting peace for a free and independent country. And Europe will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes," von der Leyen emphasized.
