Von der Leyen: EU Stands with Poland After Russian Airspace Violation

European Commission President Delivers Strong Message in State of the Union

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared Europe's full solidarity with Poland following the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones overnight. In her annual State of the European Union address, von der Leyen emphasized that 'Europe is in a fight for a continent that is whole and knows peace, for a free and independent Europe.'

Immediate Response to Russian Aggression

The Commission President stressed the urgency of bringing Russia to the negotiating table for a ceasefire in Ukraine. The European Commission is working on a new sanctions package and exploring ways for the EU to completely stop importing Russian gas and oil more rapidly.

Gaza Crisis and Israeli Relations

Von der Leyen also addressed the situation in Gaza, stating unequivocally: 'This must stop. What is happening in Gaza is unacceptable.' She announced the suspension of bilateral support to Israel and proposed new sanctions against extremist Israeli ministers and settlers.

The Commission will recommend that member states terminate the trade portion of the cooperation agreement with Israel and impose sanctions. However, this requires unanimous approval from all 27 member states, which has proven difficult given the lack of consensus on a unified stance toward Israel.

Parliamentary Reactions

Several left-wing parties in the European Parliament wore red clothing today to show support for Palestine. Left and center parties have long criticized the Commission's position toward the Israeli government, arguing that von der Leyen has not spoken out sufficiently.

The State of the European Union address is an annual tradition where the Commission President outlines the EU's current status and sets the political course for the coming year, making this year's speech particularly significant given the multiple international crises.