Von der Leyen's re-election is good news for Ukraine

This is evidenced by numerous actions since February 24, 2022. She has visited Kyiv several times, demonstrating personal courage and commitment to fundamental human values. Many Ukrainians remember her visit to Bucha, where she went to see the sites of Russian atrocities and pay tribute to the innocent victims.

Humanity, deep Christian faith, and belief in Europe are the values that underpin her worldview.

Ukraine owes Ursula von der Leyen for endorsing a candidacy for European Union accession and later initiating negotiations for our membership. Without her leadership, we would have faced prolonged bureaucratic assessments to determine if our country and its institutions met EU standards. Alongside the entire European Commission, she worked hard with Ukrainian ministers to provide Ukrainians with a visible sign that the great sacrifices were not in vain during the full-scale Russian aggression: Ukraine will join the EU.

With Ms. Ursula's re-election, we can feel more confident. Membership negotiations will now proceed in a friendly atmosphere, with the shared goal of reaching a positive conclusion for both sides. While we must fulfill our responsibilities - implementing European legislation and reforming state institutions to align with European standards - we are assured that a politician who understands our challenges and is dedicated to resolving them will be across the negotiating table from us.

In her speech as a candidate for the post of European Commission President, von der Leyen clearly defined the priorities for the new Commission and the entire EU. One of these priorities includes providing assistance to Ukraine "as long as necessary," which, in the language of European institutions, means ongoing financial support from the EU. This commitment indicates that Russia cannot expect to gain Ukraine through a war of attrition, as Moscow itself will likely exhaust its resources sooner.

Von der Leyen strongly criticized Viktor Orbán for his recent trip to Moscow, calling it a "mission to appease Putin." She also said that the missile attack on the Okhmatdyt hospital was not a mistake, but a deliberate message directed at the EU. Emphasizing the need for a clear response, she stated, "No one desires peace more than Ukrainians." She added that the EU should provide Ukraine with all necessary support to achieve victory.

Among the EU's priorities for the next five years of her tenure in the EU's highest office, von der Leyen named defense issues. She announced plans to create a European Commissioner for Defense and emphasized the need to strengthen the EU's defense capabilities, including establishing an EU air and missile shield. She also emphasized significant increases in defense budgets among European countries over the past two years, contrasting this with the substantial rises in military spending seen in Russia (300%) and China (600%).

The mention of China was not accidental, as the new/continuing head of the European Commission stated that the EU would oppose any attempt to forcibly annex Taiwan by China. This stance puts her in opposition to Donald Trump, who suggested in an interview that Taiwan should pay the United States for protection, citing the island's proximity to China compared to the US.

Ursula von der Leyen's candidacy was opposed by representatives of radical right-wing forces, Eurosceptics, pro-Russian parties, and outright Russian agents, totaling 284 deputies. Andrius Kubilius, former Lithuanian Prime Minister and current MEP, stated that Ursula von der Leyen's defeat would serve Putin's goals of destabilizing the EU and potentially reducing aid to Ukraine.

Thanks to the votes of the coalition of Christian Democrats, Social Democrats, Liberals and Greens (401 MEPs in total), the EU will be more stable and its support for Ukraine will be guaranteed.

It was a good day for Ukraine.

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About the author. Mykola Kniazhytskyi, journalist, member of the Ukrainian parliament.

The editors don't always share the opinions expressed by the authors of blogs or columns.