Ursula's words on the Kremlin stunned the hall! Putin didn't expect this

Competitiveness and Regulation

Ursula von der Leyen called for completing the EU single market, simplifying business and public-procurement rules, reducing reporting requirements, and using AI to support a “once only” principle for submitting data.

She said the Commission’s proposed measures could cut administrative burdens by more than €22 billion a year. She also urged Member States not to add complexity when applying EU rules.

Energy and Russia

Von der Leyen argued that Europe needs a genuine Energy Union to address high prices and dependence on foreign fossil fuels. She said sanctions imposed over Russia’s war against Ukraine will remain until the war ends, and described Russia as an unreliable supplier that has used energy dependence as leverage.

Trade and China

Von der Leyen said the EU’s trade deficit with China had reached €1 billion a day in 2025, attributing the imbalance to industrial overcapacity and unfair practices.

Her proposed approach combines dialogue, trade-defense measures when needed, and efforts to reduce dependence on single suppliers. She cited agreements with China on export controls and a quota for Chinese hybrid-car exports as evidence that negotiations can produce results.

The Commission also plans to propose measures on supply-chain diversification, faster responses to economic threats, and solidarity among Member States.

Migration

Von der Leyen said the EU migration pact is now in force. She cited decreases in irregular border crossings and asylum applications, alongside a higher return rate.

She called for consistent implementation of the pact, stronger external borders, and a strengthened role for Frontex. She also accused Russia and Belarus of using migration to pressure the EU and announced plans for a European emergency-response system to address exceptional border threats.

Participants

• Presenter: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
• Contributor mentioned: Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, whose work on EU–China dialogue she praised