Ursula von der Leyen at the EU Ambassadors Conference: «Europe must project power for peace, total support for Ukraine and a new security strategy»

Ursula von der Leyen outlines the new course for Europe at the EU Ambassadors Conference: from Iran to Ukraine, peace requires power and pragmatism. In a rapidly changing world, with conflicts undermining the international order, the President of the European Commission called on ambassadors for a concrete diplomacy capable of protecting EU interests without illusions about the past.

As the debate over Iran divides – war of choice or necessity? – von der Leyen gets straight to the point: no tears for a repressive regime that suffocates its people, but a focus on the real consequences already hitting Europe: expensive energy, unstable finance, interrupted trade, transport at risk; British bases in Cyprus under attack, drones shot down by NATO, EU citizens caught in crossfire. "We cannot withdraw from this chaos", she warns, because the alternative is illusory and the future of the rules-based system is at stake right now.

Solidarity with Ukraine and financial challenges

Turning to Ukraine, the message is crystal clear: Europe stands by Kiev, no matter what happens elsewhere. Everyone longs for peace, but it must be lasting, without sowing new conflicts – a daily job with partners for true security. Top priority: 90 billion euros in loans, despite bureaucratic hiccups after the unanimous approval of the 27 leaders. "Our credibility is at stake", von der Leyen emphasizes, reminding that European peace depends on us.

Security as a guiding principle

At the heart of the speech, peace is not a luxury but a mission that demands power projection: deter, counter, influence. It is no longer enough to be custodians of a vanished world order; we defend the rules with allies, but integrate security into every policy. The new European Security Strategy will make this an organizing principle: record defense investments, 800 billion by 2030, partnerships with Canada, India, and Australia for robust value chains. Europe stands on its own feet, but not alone.

Trade as a strategic weapon

Von der Leyen looks at trade not as an ideology, but as tangible results for families and businesses: a network of agreements covering 50% of global GDP, diversification from India for chips and clean tech, raw materials from Latin America and Australia. More than half of EU trade is predictable and rule-based; now, collaborations with the Trans-Pacific Partnership for a stronger, more resilient economy, ready to compete in a multipolar world.

Creative diplomacy for Gaza and the UN

On Gaza and peace between Israelis and Palestinians, Europe is not on the sidelines: initiatives must integrate the UN, not replace it, bringing values to the table. Urgent UN reforms, innovative formats – Quartets, Contact Groups – to unlock crises. "We must make our voice heard", she concludes, adapting foreign policy without losing its soul.

In summary, von der Leyen paints a mature Europe: three pillars – security, trade, effective diplomacy – for a 2026 of shared responsibility. As global tensions rise, Brussels focuses on unity and projection, leaving illusions in the past.