Ursula von der Leyen

Today the EU and Ukraine are already closer than ever. There is still a long path ahead. We have to end this war. And we should talk about the next steps.

But nobody can doubt that a people that stands up so bravely for our European values belongs in our European family.

Read my speech here: https://europa.eu/!bXdgTM

#EU #StandUpWithUkraine

We are too dependent on Russian fossils fuels. We must ensure a reliable, secure and affordable supply of energy to European consumers.

With the #EUGreenDeal, we know how to get there.
But we need to move faster.

This is what REPowerEU is about.

REPowerEU will diversify our gas supplies, speed up the renewable roll-out, improve energy efficiency and replace gas in heating and power.
It can reduce our demand for Russian gas by 2/3 before the end of the year.

We will also help consumers and businesses face increased energy prices and prepare for next winter:

• More guidance on price regulation for consumers
• Potential new State Aid Temporary Framework for businesses
• Upcoming proposal on minimum gas storage to secure supply

Read more about REPowerEU here: https://europa.eu/!FvttMN

#Energy #EU #EuropeanCommission

Forests are our best allies against climate change. And they provide livelihoods for millions of people around the world. We need to protect them.

Products bought and consumed in the #EU should not contribute to deforestation. After I announced it at COP26 - UN Climate Change Conference, we are today proposing new rules to help stop global deforestation and forest degradation.

We are setting mandatory due diligence rules for companies:

Only deforestation-free and legal products will be allowed on the EU market, notably soy, beef, palm oil, wood, cocoa and coffee.

More info: https://europa.eu/!pDRRyw

EU Environment and Climate
#EUGreenDeal

Thousands of heroic firefighters are working tirelessly against wildfires raging across our continent.

The EU has mobilised help for Portugal, Slovenia, Czechia, Albania and France this summer via #rescEU.

I am grateful to Greece, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Poland, Austria and Romania who currently support France through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. #EUCivPro

#EU #StrongerTogether

1-3, 5 © European Union
4 © LTN Adrien Parmentier, Sécurité Civile

It was lovely meeting with Roberta Metsola and Christine Lagarde today in Strasbourg.
 
Three women, three institutions, one goal:
driving Europe's recovery!

European Parliament European Central Bank European Commission

I was in Slovenia today to tell its people: Europe is by your side.

It was heartbreaking to see the scale of devastation caused by the floods.

The storm wreaked havoc in two-thirds of Slovenia.

But against the force of nature, the people of Slovenia have reacted with courage and kindness.

And when you called for European assistance, 8 Member States responded within 48 hours.
 
I came to Slovenia today to discuss concrete ways for our Union to stand by the side of the people of Slovenia.
  
For relief, rebuilding, and better managing extreme weather, we are mobilising EU support.

The EU Solidarity Fund can quickly advance money to address direct damage.

Additional #NextGenerationEU loans can make Slovenia more resilient to such natural disasters.

Finally, EU Cohesion funds can be redirected to rebuild your beautiful country.

I have no doubt that, with Europe’s support, Slovenia will recover.

More in my speech at the Slovenian National Assembly → europa.eu/!rJbnnK

We stand firm with Ukraine. The Transatlantic Community has for a long time not been so united. And our call on Russia is crystal clear: do not choose war.

Should the Kremlin choose violence, our response will be strong and united. We have prepared robust sanctions that can bite very hard. And we are also ready in case Russia uses energy as a weapon.
We have not chosen confrontation with Russia, but we are prepared for it.
 
But another future is possible. A future in which Russia and Europe cooperate on their shared interests.
 
Where free countries work together in peace.

My speech in the European Parliament today: https://europa.eu/!9NwJKd

#EU #Europe #Ukraine #Russia

We stand up against violence against women and girls. We stand for their sexual and reproductive rights. We want women and girls to be at the heart of peace processes.

The European Commission will present a plan to promote gender equality around the world through the European external action: https://lnkd.in/gfRGe9M

#ViolenceAgainstWomen #OrangeTheWorld #GenderEquality #HumanRights #EU #EuropeanUnion

The EU and India are the world's two largest democracies, bound by shared values and a vision for a safer, more prosperous, and tech-driven future.

Given the global context, Narendra Modi and I have agreed to conclude our free trade agreement this year.

We will also deepen cooperation on AI to help build a future in which the technology serves people, not the other way around.

Finally, we’re exploring a future EU-India Security & Defence Partnership.

My statement during the College of Commissioners' visit to India
→ europa.eu/!7kYGcF

Shocked and appalled by the vicious attacks on Ukrainian cities. Putin’s Russia has again shown the world what it stands for: brutality and terror.

I know that Ukrainians will stay strong.

We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, with all the means we have.

Statement on the attacks on Ukrainian cities: https://europa.eu/!Cbv9Yf

Europe stands by Ukraine’s side, and we support President Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula for a just and lasting peace for the brave people of Ukraine.
 
This was my message at the second meeting of the Ukraine Compact in New York.
 
We can never match the sacrifices the Ukrainian people make every day to stay free and independent.
 
But what we can do is – stand by their side and build a common future.
 
Support for Ukraine is a key topic in my discussions with global leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
 
Yesterday, I met with leaders of Norway, Pakistan and the UK.
 
I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Starmer in Brussels next week to discuss the reset of EU-UK relations.
 
While in New York, I also joined the New York Stock Exchange Bell Ceremony.
 
A symbol of the institution that has powered US economic growth since 1792.
 
Europe is working on its own powerful model to provide businesses with the financing opportunities they need.
 
And we call it the Savings and Investment Union.
 
I’m ready for the fourth day of #UNGA.

Ukraine’s strength lies in its people.

In their courage, their force and enduring hope in a future of peace and prosperity in a united Europe.

They are an inspiration to all Europeans.
 
Congratulations to President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine on #UkraineIndependenceDay.

La storia d’Europa è una storia di Rinascimenti. Europe is a story of new beginnings.
 
Today, in my speech at the State of the Union 2021 conference of the European University Institute, I spoke about ending the pandemic and shaping a new beginning for #Europe.

A story of a hopeful future.
And in this sense – a new European Renaissance.

Today, the enormous gains delivered by our unity are obvious for everybody. It is clear that our European vaccination campaign is a success:
 
We have delivered 200 million doses of vaccines to Europeans so far.
And we have delivered another 200 million doses to the rest of the world.
 
Openness and fairness are Europe's trademark. 
 
We are the pharmacy of the world. And we take pride in this.
 
My full speech: https://europa.eu/!yJ66FC

#SOU2021 #EuropeanUnion #SafeVaccines

Europe has what it takes to be a leader in industrial AI. 
 
Our innovation package will give AI startups and SMEs access to our world-class supercomputers. 
 
So they can develop, train, and test their AI models, in line with EU values.

The press release: europa.eu/!V6WKmX

It's 2020. There is no longer a digital world on one hand and a “real” world on the other. Citizens need the same level of protection online and offline. Trustworthy info, safe services and goods, free and fair digital markets: we are setting the rules for Europe’s Digital Decade.

Digital Services Act: https://europa.eu/!xy48wN
Digital Markets Act: https://europa.eu/!Rd39Mp

#DigitalEU #DigitalServicesAct #DigitalMarketsAct

For 50 years, the European Trade Union Confederation has contributed to making Europe a better place for all. 
 
You have given workers a voice. 
You have mobilised for fair salaries and good jobs.

So we can stay true to the European promise to put people first.

This human-centred approach must also be our compass in a changing world.

Algorithms are shaping work, beyond digital platforms.

We must keep giving protection, as tech is changing the game.
 
The answer to the challenges of AI must be “human in control“.

We are keeping an eye on the potential need to regulate algorithms use in the wider world of work.

My speech at today's 15th Congress of the European Trade Union Confederation→ europa.eu/!tQBck7

G7 condemns the escalation of violence by Russia against civilians in Ukraine. We'll stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes and have strengthened our sanctions on Russia.

Belarus support for Russia’s aggression must have consequences.

We also discussed actions to reduce energy prices.

We must work to further isolate Russia. Ukraine can count on its friends to rebuild, with steadfast #G7 financial support.

The #EU will soon table options for a fast recovery.

The conference I will co-host with Bundeskanzler Scholz on 25 October in Berlin will advance our strategy to rebuild Ukraine.

Read the statement here: https://lnkd.in/gwj92SZn

The Europe of tomorrow must be competitive and climate neutral.

That tomorrow is starting today.

We are giving a boost to our clean tech industry.

With two calls for proposals worth €4.6 billion for new tech, including EV batteries, and renewable hydrogen.

Read more → https://europa.eu/!hDqtBf

Europe and the United States should work together to deter our common threats – as partners.

Trade wars and punitive tariffs only drive inflation and act like a tax – one that inevitably hits workers, companies, small incomes and the middle class the hardest. On both sides of the Atlantic.

Europe wants to avoid a global race to the bottom.

But one thing is clear: unjustified tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered.

We are one of the world’s largest markets. We will use our tools to safeguard our economic security and interests.

And we will protect our workers, businesses and consumers at every turn.

In all this, we remain ready to find agreements that work for us all and make us both more prosperous and more secure.

Read more → https://europa.eu/!BFmmgN

The historic 2004 enlargement was the birth of a new era.
 
Built on the promise that all Europeans can be masters of their own destiny.
 
Together with your ingenuity, Europe has made you stronger.
 
And you have made Europe so much stronger, too.

My speech on the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement: europa.eu/!HC9Y7Q

The European Green Deal was born out of the necessity to protect people and planet.

But it was also designed as an opportunity to build our future prosperity.

I'm glad to announce that we have approved Czechia's revised recovery and resilience plan, including a new #REPowerEU chapter.

The revised plan brings €2.2 billion in additional funding for Czechia.

This includes €736 million under REPowerEU for reforms and investments in a stronger electricity grid, more renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transport.

And, very importantly, the skills needed to support Czechia's industry and succeed in the green transition.

The European Commission will continue to support Czechia along the way.

Read more in my speech at the Green Deal Summit: europa.eu/!TY7qxH
Press statement with Prime Minister Fiala: europa.eu/!cnrMPh

Hyper-competitive and hyper-transactional geopolitics define this era. But Europe will remain level-headed!

We will continue to build on a foreign policy that stays true to who we are and deliver for our people and partners.

Read more in my speech to EU ambassadors ↓

Actions speak louder than words.

As promised in my 2022 State of the Union speech, the EU doubled its firefighting fleet this year.

The destructive power of extreme weather is too big for any country to fight on its own. But together, we are stronger.

Our #rescEU firefighting aircraft reserve now includes 24 airplanes and four helicopters from 10 Member States.

This is European solidarity in action.

I look forward to my 2023 State of the Union address on 13 September.

When I'll share with Europeans our 2024 priorities.

Africa’s growth requires good internet connections and digital skills for all workers.
Today we launched the Global Digital for Development Hub for Africa. A space where European and African businesses can connect, learn and work with each other.

#EUAU #digitalisation #digitaltransformation #digitalEU #Europe #Africa