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Ursula von der Leyen

President of the European Commission
Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen (née Albrecht) was born on October 8, 1958, in Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium. She studied economics at the Universities of Göttingen, Münster, and the London School of Economics, and then medicine at the Hannover Medical School, where she received her medical license in 1987 and her Doctor of Medicine degree in 1991. In 2001, she also earned a Master's degree in Public Health. Ursula von der Leyen began her political career by holding ministerial positions in the German government, including Minister for Family Affairs, Labour, and Social Affairs, and the first female Minister of Defence. Since 2019, she has been the President of the European Commission, being the first woman to hold this position.
2003
Appointed Minister for Social Affairs, Women, Family, and Health of Lower Saxony
2013
Became the first female Minister of Defence of Germany
2019
Elected the first female President of the European Commission
2019
Launched the European Green Deal for the transformation of the EU
2021
Led the EU's strategy for vaccine procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic
2022
The Commission announced work on establishing an International Criminal Tribunal for the Russian Federation
2024
Re-elected President of the European Commission for a second term
2025
Announced the allocation of 100 billion euros from the EU budget for the reconstruction of Ukraine
News by theme
Von der Leyen: The EU is working with Ukraine to implement the FREYJA anti-ballistic project

The EU and Ukraine are working on the FREYJA project, which envisages the creation of a joint anti-ballistic shield.

War in Ukraine • September 2, 01:29 PM • 4205 views
Strengthening support for Ukraine and billions of euros in defense investments — details of the meeting between Rutte and von der Leyen

EU and NATO leaders agreed to increase aid to Ukraine, including covering the costs of Patriot air defense systems. The allies also plan to invest €800 billion in defense.

War in Ukraine • September 2, 12:09 PM • 5242 views
Climate, AI and Ukraine may become key topics of von der Leyen’s address to the European Parliament – Politico

On September 16, Ursula von der Leyen may focus on climate and the impact of AI on employment. The topics of Ukraine, migration and EU enlargement are also expected.

Politics • August 28, 09:56 PM • 9283 views
Europe is ready to help after devastating floods in Nepal and China

Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU is ready to help Nepal and China after the floods. Copernicus is already mapping the affected areas.

News of the World • August 26, 08:07 PM • 4090 views
Macron proposed imposing sanctions on gasoline supplies to Russia

Emmanuel Macron proposed introducing new sanctions against imports of fuel, oil, and gas into Russia. He stated that the Russian Federation had begun importing resources through third countries.

Economy • August 24, 06:35 PM • 4247 views
EU approved €6.1 billion for Ukraine for air defense, missiles, radars and more

On Independence Day, the EU approved €6. 1 billion for Ukraine. The funds will be allocated to air defense, missiles, ammunition and radars.

Politics • August 24, 06:19 AM • 27110 views
Italy's largest arms manufacturer is creating a "drone laboratory" in Ukraine — media

The Italian company Leonardo has registered a "subsidiary" in Kyiv with capital of UAH 5. 13 million. It will engage in defense technologies and development.

War in Ukraine • August 21, 02:02 AM • 22739 views
Romania scrambled two F-16s and destroyed a maritime drone – the EU responded

Romanian F-16s struck a maritime drone near the Neptun Alpha platform in the Black Sea. The European Commission called the incident hybrid warfare.

War in Ukraine • August 20, 11:52 AM • 11219 views
EU leaders support the ICC after US sanctions against its officialsVideo

Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa expressed support for the ICC and its independence after the US sanctions against court officials.

Politics • August 19, 12:20 PM • 4774 views
The EU is ready to deploy the Copernicus satellite system to assist Indonesia following the earthquake

The European Union has offered Indonesia the use of the Copernicus satellite system for mapping and search-and-rescue operations following a magnitude 7. 7 earthquake. At least 38 people were killed by the disaster, which occurred on August 15 near the island of Flores.

News of the World • August 15, 03:18 PM • 3946 views
Together, let’s drain Russia’s resources: von der Leyen welcomes the U.S. Senate’s approval of sanctions against the Russian Federation

The President of the European Commission welcomed the U. S. Senate’s support for a bill to strengthen sanctions against Russia. She called for jointly draining the Russian Federation’s resources to continue the war against Ukraine.

Politics • August 8, 04:15 AM • 12579 views
EU provides Ukraine with €1.4 billion from proceeds of frozen Russian assets

The European Commission allocates €1. 4 billion to Ukraine, obtained from frozen Russian assets, in response to Russia's massive attack. Prime Minister Koretskyi said that the funds will go toward the country's defense and resilience.

Politics • August 5, 09:10 AM • 27790 views
Von der Leyen calls on the EU for "united action" at borders after migrant influx in Ceuta

The President of the European Commission called for joint action after the influx of migrants into Spanish Ceuta, which sparked a dispute between Madrid and other EU countries. She emphasized the need to strengthen external borders and shared European responsibility.

News of the World • August 3, 02:16 PM • 4231 views
President of the European Council supported Spain's actions to combat illegal migration in CeutaVideo

António Costa approved Spain's decisive actions to return migrants in Ceuta. The escalation of the migration crisis led to the death of at least 57 people.

News of the World • July 31, 06:50 PM • 4185 views
About 60,000 migrants broke into Spanish Ceuta from Morocco, 34 dead - Spain and the EU reactedVideo

About 60,000 migrants reached Spanish Ceuta from Morocco, 34 people died. Spain deployed the army, Prime Minister Sanchez called it an attack on territorial integrity.

News of the World • July 31, 12:00 PM • 4608 views
The EU reacted to the Russian attack that violated Poland's airspace

European leaders condemned the Russian attack that violated Poland's airspace. They stated it poses a threat to Europe's security and promised to increase support for Ukraine.

Politics • July 30, 11:30 AM • 5308 views
UN to raise $358 million for winter aid to Ukraine

The UN has presented the Response Plan for the autumn-winter period 2026-2027, which provides $358 million for 2. 1 million Ukrainians. The aid will include heating, housing repairs, medical and food support.

Society • July 23, 02:31 AM • 14641 views
France will ban social media for children under 15 starting September 1

The French Parliament has passed a law banning social media for children under 15 from the start of the school year. The law also prohibits mobile phones in upper secondary school classes, except for educational resources.

News of the World • July 21, 07:28 PM • 4807 views
France prepares to approve a ban on social media for children under 15

French lawmakers are set to approve a bill on Tuesday banning access to social media for children under 15. This puts France at the forefront of similar efforts in the EU.

News of the World • July 21, 06:19 AM • 3970 views
Koretskyi discussed with von der Leyen the opening of all clusters for EU accession "without delay" - assured of continued reforms

New Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi held his first conversation with the head of the European Commission, discussing reforms and European integration. He also raised the issues of sanctions, air defense, and financial aid.

Politics • July 20, 01:29 PM • 5392 views
Von der Leyen in first conversation promised Koretsky EU support

The head of the European Commission held a conversation with the new Prime Minister of Ukraine, discussing reforms for EU accession and defense equipment. Also discussed were preparations for winter and energy infrastructure.

Politics • July 20, 11:14 AM • 4699 views
EU congratulates Koretsky on his appointment as Prime Minister of Ukraine

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Serhiy Koretsky on his confirmation as Prime Minister of Ukraine. She expressed confidence in continued cooperation and support for reforms.

Politics • July 16, 11:00 AM • 4333 views
Zelenskyy announced the preparation of personnel changes among Ukrainian ambassadors

President Zelenskyy reported on the discussion of possible changes among Ukrainian ambassadors. There are no final decisions yet, the information will be made public later.

Politics • July 15, 04:40 PM • 5215 views
Ukraine and the EU have taken the first step towards a Drone Deal - Zelenskyy and von der Leyen signed a letter of intent

The President of Ukraine and the President of the European Commission signed a Letter of Intent on defense-industrial partnership. The EU allocated an additional 1 billion euros for drones within the framework of a 90 billion euro loan.

Politics • July 15, 04:15 PM • 6390 views
Zelenskyy will hold a meeting with the Minister of Defense and the army leadership before the meeting of "Servant of the People"

The President emphasized that "unity is a great strength" and there should be "a single view of the Ministry of Defense and the army".

Politics • July 15, 02:54 PM • 3474 views
EU allocates another €1 billion to Ukraine for drones

The European Union allocates €1 billion to Ukraine for the purchase of drones. This is another tranche under the €90 billion loan to support Ukraine.

War in Ukraine • July 15, 02:36 PM • 4891 views
Ukraine and the EU sign a drone agreement as part of the defense partnership - von der Leyen

European Commission President von der Leyen announced a new EU-Ukraine partnership in the defense industry. The parties signed an agreement on drones, which will combine Ukrainian expertise and European industrial scale.

Politics • July 15, 01:30 PM • 3425 views
Zelenskyy awarded Svyrydenko and Shmyhal the Order of Yaroslav the Wise, and "Madjar" the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky

The President awarded former Prime Minister Yuliya Svyrydenko and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, V degree. Also, the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky were received by the Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces Robert Brovdi and the Commander of the Third Army Corps Andriy Biletsky.

Society • July 15, 09:11 AM • 4074 views
Zelenskyy awarded Ursula von der Leyen the Order of Europe Photo

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the Order of Europe to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her visit to Kyiv. He also signed a decree approving the statute of the new state award.

Politics • July 15, 08:41 AM • 4898 views
European leaders arrived in Kyiv for the Ukraine - Southeast Europe summit

On Ukrainian Statehood Day, leaders and high-ranking officials from Moldova, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, Serbia and other countries arrived in Kyiv to participate in the "Ukraine – Southeast Europe" summit.

Politics • July 15, 07:59 AM • 23434 views