\u201cThis is not a partnership against anyone else. But for our common strength.\u201d<\/p>\n
The proposal gets a standing ovation.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3m ago<\/p>\n Von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech – summary<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 18m ago<\/p>\n EU’s ‘powerful promise’ needs new generations to ‘rediscover ability to think European,’ von der Leyen says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 21m ago<\/p>\n ‘Glorifying war criminals has no place in the EU,’ von der Leyen says in criticism of Serbia and Mladi\u0107’s funeral<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 24m ago<\/p>\n Social media ‘depriving children of their childhood,’ von der Leyen says, as she confirms strict rules on social media<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 29m ago<\/p>\n ‘European democracy is being threatened’ by disinformation, foreign interference, von der Leyen says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 34m ago<\/p>\n Von der Leyen says EU will draft tougher rules for emergency migration scenarios<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 37m ago<\/p>\n EU’s von der Leyen calls Israel’s E1 settlement project ‘unacceptable’<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 40m ago<\/p>\n EU ‘will give our strongest ever support to Ukraine over the toughest winter of the war,’ von der Leyen says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 46m ago<\/p>\n ‘Threats are mounting on our soil’ with threat from Russia growing, von der Leyen warns, as she calls for ‘European Security Council’<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 51m ago<\/p>\n Von der Leyen proposes Canada to be associate member of the EU<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 55m ago<\/p>\n ‘Some people want to backslide on women’s rights,’ von der Leyen warns<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n ‘We want AI with human agency,’ von der Leyen says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n Von der Leyen leads parliament in moving tribute to helicopter pilot who died when fighting wildfires in Greece<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n ‘The hottest summer month ever, but the coolest of years to come,’ von der Leyen call for urgency on climate<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n EU’s trade relationship with China ‘unsustainable’ and need to be rebalanced, von der Leyen says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n ‘We need to electrify Europe,’ von der Leyen says, to cut fossil fuel costs down<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n von der Leyen warns against anti-European ultranationalists and Russia who ‘despise our values’<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n ‘We are now dealing with an openly hostile world,’ EU’s von der Leyen warns<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n EU ‘the strongest’ but ‘most precarious’ it has even been, von der Leyen says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n Watch von der Leyen’s SOTU live – video<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n Morning opening: The state of the European Union<\/p>\n <\/a>Von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech – summary European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has warned the EU is \u201cthe strongest\u201d but \u201cmost precarious\u201d (9:16<\/a>) it has ever been as it faces \u201can openly hostile world\u201d (9:18<\/a>) as she delivered her annual State of the Union address in the European parliament in Strasbourg.<\/p>\n Von der Leyen outlined proposals for reforming the EU\u2019s single market (9:21<\/a>) and improving competitiveness and innovation (9:30<\/a>), as well as electrifying its energy market (9:24<\/a>), and rebalancing its trade relationship with partners, particularly China (9:27<\/a>).<\/p>\n In one of the most eye-catching proposals, she suggested Canada could become an associate member of the European Union (9:54<\/a>).<\/p>\n Von der Leyen also warned about the growing threat from Russia as she called for a \u201cEuropean Security Council\u201d to help countries coordinate on security issues (9:58<\/a>), as she pledged further support to Ukraine (10:04<\/a>).<\/p>\n In her wide-ranging speech, she also discussed the issue of irregular migration (10:10<\/a>) and criticised Israel for \u201cunacceptable\u201d plans for its illegal E1 settlement project (10:07<\/a>).<\/p>\n She also called for urgent action on climate preparedness as she warned Europe faced \u201cthe hottest summer months ever, but the coolest of years to come\u201d (9:34<\/a>, 9:39<\/a>).<\/p>\n Von der Leyen also confirmed plans to introduce tougher rules on social media to protect children online, including a ban for users under the age of 13, as she warned that highly addictive platforms are \u201cdepriving children of their childhood\u201d (10:20<\/a>).<\/p>\n The commission president also advocated for \u201cAI with human agency,\u201d and for Europe to explore \u201chidden\u201d value where it can capitalise on its \u201cbig advantages\u201d (9:45<\/a>, 9:48<\/a>).<\/p>\n In a pointed comment, she also criticised Serbia for last week\u2019s funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladi\u0107, saying \u201cglorifying war criminals simply has no place in the European Union\u201d (10:24<\/a>).<\/p>\n European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a debate on State of the Union at the European parliament in Strasbourg, France. Photograph: Ronald Wittek\/EPAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.42 EDT<\/p>\n EU’s ‘powerful promise’ needs new generations to ‘rediscover ability to think European,’ von der Leyen says<\/p>\n Von der Leyen now talks about the EU\u2019s \u201cpowerful promise\u201d dating back from its foundation, as she calls for new generations to \u201crediscover this ability to think European.\u201d<\/p>\n The EU will create a new \u201cCongress for Europe,\u201d drawing on its origins, to get \u201cthe brilliant minds from across our union and across our continent\u201d to \u201cinspire the new generation of Europeans.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe should never forget the origins of our union. So long at war, united to forge a common destiny, a destiny of peace and prosperity, of democracy and freedom. <\/p>\n They never wrote down where the destiny would finally lead. But each generation has built on the foundations of its predecessors. Step by step, brick by brick, of course, imperfections are diversity, and our differences remain.<\/p>\n But that is precisely what makes Europe, our Europe and our common home.\u201d<\/p>\n And on that point, she ends her speech to some applause from the audience.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>‘Glorifying war criminals has no place in the EU,’ von der Leyen says in criticism of Serbia and Mladi\u0107’s funeral<\/p>\n Switching to French now, von der Leyen says \u201cwe also have to win back the hearts of Europeans.\u201d<\/p>\n She also says the EU needs to look beyond its borders in the western Balkans.<\/p>\n She says the process \u201cwill continue on merit.\u201d<\/p>\n But she says the adherence to EU values is \u201cnon-negotiable,\u201d as she says she was \u201chorrified by the pictured from Ratko Mladi\u0107\u2019s funeral in Belgrade last week.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe committed the most atrocious crimes against humanity. Glorifying war criminals simply has no place in the European Union.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Social media ‘depriving children of their childhood,’ von der Leyen says, as she confirms strict rules on social media<\/p>\n Von der Leyen then turns to the question of online safety, particularly for children.<\/p>\n She warns that \u201cyoung Europeans now spend four to six hours a day on screens,\u201d as they \u201care pulled ever deeper into feeds designed to keep them scrolling.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we are witnessing is a great capture of our children. A capture of their attention, their focus, their minds. This is depriving children of their childhood.\u201d<\/p>\n She references the death of a 14-year-old Belgian girl, Ol\u00e9a, who killed herself as a victim of online bullying.<\/p>\n She quotes her mom who said: \u201cI am convinced that had it not been for these omnipresent networks, my daughter would still be with us.\u201d<\/p>\n Von der Leyen says \u201cenough is enough\u201d and confirms plans to bring forward \u201cthe Kids\u2019 Act\u201d with strict restrictions on social media usage by children.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will take a gradual and differentiated approach. Each age has its own sensitivities, and therefore each will have its own tailored protection level. <\/p>\n No social media under the age of 13. No personal account under the age of 15. <\/p>\n That means from 13 to under 15, only mini accounts set up and supervised by parents or guardians, with limited features and time restriction to one hour a day and between 15 and 18, safe design will be an obligation for the platforms.\u201d<\/p>\n She says the EU \u201cwill not accept addictive features\u201d and \u201cchildren being drawn into ever more extreme content.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are reversing the burden of proof: now platforms will have to prove to us that they are safe because this is not about our minors accessing social media. It is about when and how do we allow social media to access our minors. Europe has the power to act. It is us who decide the rules, not big tech.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>‘European democracy is being threatened’ by disinformation, foreign interference, von der Leyen says<\/p>\n Von der Leyen then turns to the issue of democracy in Europe<\/a>.<\/p>\n She says \u201cour European democracy is being threatened\u201d with \u201cdisinformation and foreign interference seeking to divide us, seeking to erode trust in our democratic fabric and free media.\u201d<\/p>\n She pointedly says \u201cthe threats to our democracies do not only come from the outside,\u201d as Europe sees \u201cthe rise of anti-democratic, anti-European forces.\u201d<\/p>\n But she says \u201cnothing is inevitable,\u201d as she celebrates the change in Hungary, with the new pro-EU government led by P\u00e9ter Magyar after 16 years of Viktor Orb\u00e1n.<\/p>\n \u201c12 April will stay in our memory for a very long time,\u201d she says, referencing to the election day in Hungary.<\/p>\n \u201cHungarian people took their future in their hands. They chose democracy. They chose Europe. They brought Hungary back to where it belongs, at the heart of the European Union. <\/p>\n Years of backsliding have started to be reversed. The fight against corruption and state capture is speeding up. There is real progress on fundamental rights, on academic freedom, and now billions of euros of investment in Hungary have been unlocked. There is, of course, much more work ahead. <\/p>\n But \u2026 this shows the hard work pays off.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Von der Leyen says EU will draft tougher rules for emergency migration scenarios<\/p>\n Von der Leyen then turns to migration, and not surprisingly touches upon the migration crisis in Ceuta.<\/p>\n She says \u201cvulnerable people are being exploited by callous traffickers and smugglers, by our adversaries.\u201d<\/p>\n She addresses the Spanish people, saying \u201cCeuta border is a European border, because Ceuta is Spain and Ceuta is Europe<\/a> \u2013 and Europe will be there for you.\u201d<\/p>\n She talks about the EU\u2019s pact on migration and asylum, which \u201cneeds to be fully implemented.\u201d<\/p>\n But she says the EU needs new rules for emergency situations, \u201cespecially in scenarios when mass movements are engineered and weaponised.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is why we will propose a new European Emergency Response instrument. It will only be triggered under a strictly defined set of criterias. And in those cases, it will allow for a time limited and strictly defined flexibility of standard procedures.\u201d<\/p>\n She says the message is clear: \u201cwe will always comply with our values and fundamental rights, but we will never compromise on protecting our borders because it\u2019s us Europeans who decide who comes to our union and under what circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n She also talks about the need to strengthen the EU\u2019s border agency, Frontex, and proposes a new \u201cMediterranean Youth Skills and Jobs Initiative\u201d to work with partners in third countries.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.12 EDT<\/p>\n EU’s von der Leyen calls Israel’s E1 settlement project ‘unacceptable’<\/p>\n Von der Leyen then turns to the situation in Gaza.<\/p>\n She says \u201cthe deep suffering in Gaza and unchecked settler violence in the West Bank have deeply affected Europeans.\u201d<\/p>\n She says the Israeli government\u2019s decision to go ahead with the illegal E1 settlement project is \u201cunacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is painful for many Europeans that member states have been unable to build the necessary majorities for a unified response. Some member states have moved ahead. Others are considering to do so. When Europe is divided, it cannot change the course of events,\u201d she acknowledges.<\/p>\n She says the EU is \u201cleading the way in supporting Palestinians,\u201d and will continue to do so.<\/p>\n She says \u201cEurope supports the right to self-defence for Israel, and the Palestinian people have an equal right to live in safety and dignity.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is Europe\u2019s role to keep the flame of the two state solution alive.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>EU ‘will give our strongest ever support to Ukraine over the toughest winter of the war,’ von der Leyen says<\/p>\n Switching to German, von der Leyen moves on to Ukraine.<\/p>\n She says \u201cthe coming winter will be tough for Ukraine,\u201d but says nothing can break \u201cthe Ukrainian spirit of resistance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur task remains to support Ukraine as best we can,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n She says the EU \u201cwill give our strongest ever support to Ukraine over the toughest winter of the war.\u201d<\/p>\n She says the EU is now using its funding to help Ukraine buy air defence systems, and wants to work on developing \u201can affordable modular missile defence system,\u201d made in Europe<\/a>.<\/p>\n But she says \u201cmore is needed.\u201d<\/p>\n The EU will work on \u201csetting up a new programme for joint projects with Ukrainian companies,\u201d and work to \u201ctighten our sanctions on Russia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is needed is not necessarily new sanctions, but above all the enforcement of existing ones. Our sanctions \u2026 are putting enormous pressure on the Russian economy. Russia is doing everything it can to get around them. So we must close the loopholes.\u201d<\/p>\n She goes back to English, talking about Russia\u2019s indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations in Ukraine.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a deliberate strategy of terror,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n She talks about a story of a Ukrainian girl named Sasha and her resilience in returning to gymnastics after losing her leg in a Russian strike.<\/p>\n \u201cJust seven months after the attack, she was back in the gym with her new prosthetic leg. She trained harder than ever. She started winning gold after gold. This summer, she travelled the world with her Dance of Freedom tour. Her aim is to tell the world about Ukrainian resilience and the fight for freedom,” she says.<\/p>\n Sasha is in the audience and gets a standing ovation.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Von der Leyen says \u201cthere is no room for any kind of doubt: Europe will defend each and every single square metre of its territory.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>‘Threats are mounting on our soil’ with threat from Russia growing, von der Leyen warns, as she calls for ‘European Security Council’<\/p>\n Von der Leyen then moves to security, as she references the recent incidents in Lithuania, Denmark, and Poland just this week.<\/p>\n \u201cRussia\u2019s war of aggression on Ukraine rages on and threats are mounting on our soil,\u201d she warns.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to be clear about what this was an attack using military grade material carried out by Russian operatives on European soil and attack not only on one member state, but against all of our union.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Jakub](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789548382_718_Jakub_Krupa.png\")
Jakub Krupa<\/p>\n