What Messages Did European Commission President Send to Ukraine in Her Annual Address

On Wednesday, September 13, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen delivered her annual State of the European Union (SOTEU) speech in the European Parliament, last one before the European elections next June.

Ukraine was not only mentioned in 2022 but was the report’s central topic. However, this year, references to Ukraine in the first 50 minutes of her speech could be counted on the fingers of one hand. Even those were fleeting.

You can read more about what Ursula von der Leyen talked about and the conclusions for Ukraine in the article by EuroPravda journalist Ivanna Kostina in the article Ukraine No Longer Center of EU Attention: What Annual Speech of European Commission President Indicated

This year's address was named "Answering the call of history." As von der Leyen explained, many saw the European Union as a response to the call of history after World War II.

One of the responses to the call of history, according to von der Leyen, should be the future EU enlargement, which she calls "completing the Union."

She dedicated a significant portion of her speech to this topic.

This appeal reminds us of the previously expressed position that the future of Ukraine, Moldova, the Western Balkans, and Georgia lies in the European Union.

Regarding Ukraine, the President of the European Commission acknowledged that it has made significant progress on the path to EU membership after following its candidate status obtained in June 2022.

However, full EU accession is a merit-based process.

Even though Ukraine and the war waged against it by Russia were hardly mentioned throughout more than two-thirds of the speech, it was a topic that couldn't be entirely ignored.

"We will be at Ukraine's side every step of the way. For as long as it takes," von der Leyen reiterated a statement that some politicians are already suggesting should be turned into a commitment to achieve Ukraine's victory.

The President of the European Commission spoke extensively about supporting Ukrainian refugees.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 transformed the EU into a significant geopolitical player in countering Russian aggression.

However, in this year's SOTEU, the focus shifted more towards China's unfair trade practices.

The President also mentioned the need for a change in approach to Africa.

After a summer with extreme weather events, the President of the European Commission dedicated a significant portion of her speech to the Green Deal.

Another important point in her address was the mention of economic challenges facing the EU, including labour and skills shortages, inflation, and streamlining business operations for European companies.

While Ukraine was not a central topic of her address, the EU's commitment to supporting Ukraine's path towards EU integration was mentioned. Ukraine was acknowledged in the broader context of geopolitical and economic challenges.

Read more in the article by EuroPravda journalist Ivanna Kostina in the article Ukraine No Longer Center of EU Attention: What Annual Speech of European Commission President Indicated