Speech by President von der Leyen at the EP Plenary debate on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 18 December 2025 and a stronger and more sovereign Europe amid rising geopolitical tensions and continuous threats to the rules-based order

Geopolitical shocks can - and must - be an opportunity for Europe. The seismic shift underway makes it both possible & necessary to build a new European independence. From security to the economy. From defence to democracy. Europe is gathering speed. → link.europa.eu/6qt6hC

Today is truly a historic day with the signature of a landmark agreement - EU-Mercosur!

Today in pictures

Statement by President von der Leyen with Brazilian President Lula da Silva ↓ link.europa.eu/3nqkNk

We all want peace for Ukraine. For this, Ukraine must be in a position of strength. Today we table our proposal for a €90 billion loan for 2026 and 2027. For a strong Ukraine on the battlefield and at the negotiating table. → link.europa.eu/QrBXHy

Today’s Council decision to support the EU-Mercosur deal is historic. Europe is sending a strong signal. We are serious about creating growth, jobs and securing the interests of Europeans consumers and businesses.

Today, we made history with the first-ever EU-Jordan Summit. You can find our Joint Statement here → link.europa.eu/JD6kJj

Cyprus captures what is best about Europe. Our ability to combine tradition with innovation. Drawing strength from history as we shape the future. Together with @cy2026eu.bsky.social, we will work to boost Europe’s autonomy, preparedness and competitiveness. → link.europa.eu/9bchdD

Europe is ready to keep working with Ukraine and our US partners to consolidate this progress. Paramount to this effort is to have ironclad security guarantees from day one.

We had a good, one-hour-long call with President Trump, President Zelenskyy and several European leaders to discuss their meeting today on peace negotiations. There was good progress, which we welcomed.

We have just touched base with several leaders ahead of tomorrow’s meeting between President Trump and President Zelenskyy on peace talks.

A look back at 2025: Competitiveness and solidarity have been the guiding priorities for the European Commission

We gathered today with a clear objective: to address Ukraine’s pressing financing needs. We delivered. 90 billion euro for the next two years through EU borrowing on the capital markets ↓ link.europa.eu/6qdC4G

Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament plenary debate in preparation of the European Council meeting of 18-19 December 2025, in particular the need to support Ukraine, transatlantic relations and the EU's strategic autonomy ↓ link.europa.eu/c3v4XG

Good meeting in Berlin tonight. We are seeing real progress thanks to the alignment between Ukraine, Europe and the US. Ukrainians are bravely defending their independence every day. They deserve a peace worthy of their courage ↓ link.europa.eu/b9QprF

It's Europe that must decide who comes to us and in what circumstances. Not the traffickers. So we're working with partners. To prevent illegal journeys Break the smugglers business model And better inform and warn those targeted by the smugglers. link.europa.eu/ypR7TW

Statement by President von der Leyen on the provisional agreement on the phasing out of Russian fossil fuels under REPowerEU ↓ link.europa.eu/tykVJf Our press release ↓ link.europa.eu/PhgHqQ

Festvortrag von Präsidentin von der Leyen beim Gedenksymposium für Professor Schwartz ↓ link.europa.eu/yKdNgX

With the work done in Geneva as Europeans, and with Ukraine and the US, we now have a starting point. I will outline some of the core priorities of Europe going forward ↓ link.europa.eu/jj4cqH

Statement by President von der Leyen following the Call of the Coalition of the Willing ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

Statement by President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu following the EU leaders' meeting on Ukraine ↓ link.europa.eu/Hky37c

Working very hard to secure a positive outcome of COP30 in Brazil. In the margins of G20, we work to cross the finish line with a successful result. One that matches the scale of the challenges facing our planet. We want to make Bélem a success. We are with you, @lulaoficialbluesky.bsky.social.

We welcome the continued US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine. The initial draft of the 28-point plan includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace. We believe therefore that the draft is a basis which will require additional work. link.europa.eu/FCPdy6

Press statement by President von der Leyen at the EU-South Africa leaders' meeting ↓ link.europa.eu/RhvtvH

Full room for the presentation of our defence package today. Bringing the EU one step closer towards a 'Military Schengen' and boosting disruptive innovation in the military area. Our press release ↓ link.europa.eu/FFdWvC

Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament plenary debate on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 23 October 2025 ↓ link.europa.eu/b4jbrF

Se souvenir, pour que la mémoire vive.

We all want a budget that ensures Europe’s agency in a fast-changing world. As priorities evolve, we are introducing a mechanism for the Parliament and Council to decide on them together. Boosting Europe’s ability to act and react. And our democracy. → link.europa.eu/rxc33h

Two years ago, the world made a bold commitment. To triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030. We have good news. 95% of new energy capacity worldwide comes from renewables. We are moving ever faster towards these goals ↓ link.europa.eu/h4RVrW

Interview with President von der Leyen at COP30 in Belém ↓ t.co/MCKS1cTzcT

Belém must be the COP that delivers. Delivers on tripling renewables & doubling energy efficiency by 2030. Delivers for the countries vulnerable to climate change. Delivers robust climate finance and carbon pricing. Europe will play its part ↓ link.europa.eu/Wv479K

COP in Belém - Working together for the climate. Opportunity to exchange views with Leaders and key actors across the world.

Good discussions at EUCO, starting with Ukraine. Europe and its partners will keep the pressure high on Russia. And stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. The Commission will present options for the Reparations Loan and take the work forward. link.europa.eu/NFDFdb

Speech by President von der Leyen in the European Parliament plenary debate on the Commission Work Programme 2026 ↓ link.europa.eu/wNGnwX Press release on the 2026 Work Programme ↓ link.europa.eu/tBj4wR

No need to wait for accession to invest in Montenegro. The opportunities are right here, right now. Montenegro is a great place to do business. Today we're launching 14 🇪🇺🇲🇪 projects that show just this. → link.europa.eu/b4V8Tv

From AI to clean energy, we’re integrating our industries. So my message to investors today is: The time to invest in the Western Balkans is now. Because if you choose the Western Balkans, you choose Europe. → link.europa.eu/PxdDRT

Pleased to see the increased support for the Commission!

Make no mistake. The recent incursions in our skies are part of a pattern of growing threats. It’s time to call it by its name. This is hybrid warfare. Europe must get the capacity to respond and protect our skies. Work has begun. → link.europa.eu/4Fxrqr

Steel is crucial for the EU economy. To protect the sector from unfair global overcapacity and to ensure its long-term viability, we propose: 🔹Limiting tariff-free import volumes 🔹Doubling the level of out-of-quota duty to 50% 🔹Strengthening steel market traceability link.europa.eu/9gvQyc

We will never forget the horror of the Hamas attacks on 7 October and the pain they caused to innocent victims, their families and the entire people of Israel, two years ago. We honour their memory by working tirelessly for peace.

We all agree that we need a true shift in how Europe thinks and acts on defence. Including a precise, pan-European plan. Today we discussed Europe's 2030 Readiness roadmap, with clear milestones & objectives. Because only what gets measured gets done. → link.europa.eu/nHFqYj

Today, I welcome NATO Secretary General Rutte for a discussion on security. We are at a moment in Russia’s war on Ukraine where decisive action on Europe’s side, in coordination with NATO, can lead to a real turning point ↓ link.europa.eu/gcqTCJ

Productive background briefing with Brussels-based journalists today. Very good questions, engaging dialogue and a great opportunity to share the stories behind the story.

@camanpour.bsky.social just interviewed President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu. Watch the interview here ↓ t.co/G5jH2bL8If

President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu just delivered a speech at the Conference ‘Restoring Childhood and Humanity – Advancing Peace in Ukraine Through the Return of Ukrainian Children' ↓ link.europa.eu/CJ9PwR

"When the night is darkest, we must hold fast to our compass. And our compass is the two-State solution." Full speech by President von der Leyen ↓ link.europa.eu/DhptCK

Speech by President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu at the Global Renewables Summit ↓ link.europa.eu/Y6jrFB

President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu just gave a statement on on the 19th package of sanctions against Russia ↓ link.europa.eu/WYYwh3 Watch the recording ↓ audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/vid...

Speech by President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu at the high-level meeting of leading German business and industry associations ↓ link.europa.eu/44RpyQ