Many attest to the President of the EU Commission having done a good job so far during the crisis. We also have Ursula von der Leyen and her officials to thank for the fact that the Europeans took such far-reaching measures.
In retrospect, it seems as if she had been preparing for this moment for a long time: “If we Europeans want to remain a serious security policy actor, we have to plan and act together,” said the CDU politician back in 2014.
At that point, von der Leyen had just become defense minister, and Crimea was still governed from Kyiv. “The European states should be prepared to take on an appropriate share of the transatlantic burdens,” she added, “coordinated, in consensus and efficiently”.
Not much came out of the debate at the time. There were good ideas for a common European defense, but ultimately the will was lacking. This could change now. Having a former defense secretary at the helm of the commission could prove useful.
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Even if defense has not played a major role in her tenure as Commission President, she can build on previous projects. From the outset, von der Leyen wanted to lead a “geopolitical commission”: It should act like a great power, independently, guided by interests.
Von der Leyen wants to prepare the EU for an uncomfortable world
The energy dependency on Russia does not play the greatest role. When von der Leyen took office in 2019, Donald Trump, the unpredictable, ruled in Washington. At the same time, China has been using its economic power for years to secure global influence. Von der Leyen wants Europe to adjust to the fact that the world is becoming fundamentally more uncomfortable.
She promotes projects by her commissioners that aim to defend against Beijing’s aggressive trade policy. The Commission scans foreign investors, controls exports, rewrites industrial strategy and establishes the Trade and Technology Council with the US.
The Christian Democrat has been at the head of the EU Commission since 2019.
(Photo: AP)
Companies subsidized by China should pay an entry fee for the European market. The EU should be able to defend itself against unfair trade practices with sharp countermeasures. And with the Global Gateway investment project, Europe is striving to Chinese Silk Road Initiative.
Not all of it works yet, some of it is lousy funded. Von der Leyen was unable to prevent several EU countries from selling golden passports to rich Russians for a long time. But the geopolitical strategy can be seen.
What was missing to fulfill the role as a global economic power is unity among the EU states. It’s been around since the Ukraine crisis. “This is the hour of birth of geopolitical Europe,” said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in the European Parliament last week.
>> Read here: Why EU membership is still a long way off for Ukraine
Despite everything, the sanctions are incomplete. “We must stop funding this war,” von der Leyen said. But Russia continues to sell its most important export commodity, gas, primarily to Europeans. If there really was any hope of stopping Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin, the flow of money to Russia would have to be stopped.
It is questioned whether it is right to ban the Russian propaganda organs Sputnik and RT from Europe. At a press conference, a Chinese correspondent pointed out the danger that European media could also have problems.
Some are also critical of Ukraine’s offer to become a member of the EU. It is said that one should not make unrealistic promises.
This also applies to Borrell, the high representative for foreign and security policy. He managed to get the EU to use its money to finance weapons for Ukraine and to coordinate supplies from the member states. When he announced this, he also spoke of fighter jets that Ukraine needs.
It sounds as if it is already clear in the background where they are supposed to come from. “EU countries deliver fighter jets to Ukraine,” it is reported. It’s not true. In a few Eastern European countries there are still a few Soviet-made jets, as the Ukrainian pilots are familiar with them. Despite intensive efforts, none of the states have indicated that they intend to give them up.
Perhaps Europe is really about to become a geopolitical power with the help of von der Leyen. But the fact that the EU’s capabilities depend on the will of the member states will remain so.
More: The West’s New Strategy – Why the EU Changed Course in Sanctions Policy.