European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the European Union must be decisive and prepared for difficult negotiations, even with long-term partners. In her speech to the annual conference of EU ambassadors in Brussels, she stressed the need for Europe to adapt to the changing global environment, BTA reports.
“We must change the way we act. Europe must deal with the world as it is, and not be guided by emotions and nostalgia. Decisions must be based on careful judgment and strategic interests,“ said Von der Leyen. According to her, sometimes the EU will have to work with countries with which it has differences but shares certain interests.
Geopolitical hyper-rivalry and global challenges
Von der Leyen warned that the world is entering an era of “geopolitical hyper-rivalry“, in which nothing is a given anymore – including established international rules. The competition will not only be in the sphere of economy, technology, raw materials and armaments, but also in the information space, control over waterways and new military technologies.
“We expect economic threats and attempts at blackmail. Recent events have shown how quickly this can happen. We must avoid a global race to the bottom – "that would not be in anyone's interest," she stressed.
Relations with the US and China
Von der Leyen defined good relations with the US as key to Europe's future, not only from a historical perspective, but also as a pragmatic choice. "We will be open and pragmatic in negotiations, but we will make it clear that we will always defend our interests," she said.
The year also looks tense in relations with China. According to the EC President, most of the EU-China trade relations are mutually beneficial, but it is necessary to find solutions that benefit Europe, including outside the sphere of trade and investment.
Pressure on Russia and support for Ukraine
The EC President stressed that Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to pursue a military victory in Ukraine and that his ultimate goal is the capitulation of Kiev. “If Putin succeeds, he will not stop there – the stake is not only Ukraine, but also the future of Europe”, warned Von der Leyen.
She called for increased pressure on Russia and announced that the EU is preparing a new package of sanctions that will further limit imports of Russian fuels. "We need to show the Kremlin that the longer the war goes on, the higher the price will be for it," she said.
Von der Leyen concluded that the EU must be prepared for all scenarios and act strategically to defend its values and interests in an increasingly unstable world.