"Europe is in a fight". "Europe must fight". "It is a fight for our future". The President of the European Commission delivered one of her most bellicose and raw speeches this Wednesday. Many have been in recent times, but not with the same intensity and, above all, with the same importance. Because Von der Leyen began her intervention in the State of the Union debate like this.
"A fight for a continent whole and at peace. For a free and independent Europe. A fight for our values and our democracies. A fight for our freedom and our ability to decide our own destiny," continued the head of the European executive, adding that "the battle lines are being drawn for a new world order based on power."
"So yes, Europe must fight," Von der Leyen emphasized once again. "For its place in a world where many great powers are either indifferent or openly hostile towards Europe. A world of imperial ambitions and imperial wars. A world where dependencies become, mercilessly, weapons. And it is for all these reasons that a new Europe must emerge."
Von der Leyen's intervention came just hours after Poland shot down Russian drones that had violated its airspace. "More than 10 drones," as confirmed by the President of the Commission, who expressed "solidarity" with Poland and made another reference to warfare.
"The eastern flank of Europe keeps all of Europe safe, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. That is why we must invest in supporting it. Europe will defend every square inch of its territory," she emphasized.