Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
After a series of turbulent global events across the world, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gave an opening speech in the plenary debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 21 January 2026. In her speech, she will address the EU's sovereignty amid rising geopolitical tensions and threats.
In her speech, von der Leyen argues that the global order has permanently shifted toward a faster, power-driven and more unstable world. This will require Europe to adapt to realities rather than preferences. She calls for accelerating European independence across security, defence, technology and the economy. Arctic security, support for Greenland, continued unity with allies, and unwavering military and financial backing for Ukraine are particularly important in this regard. Additionally, Europe must reduce economic dependencies through diversified trade partnerships, and must act faster and more decisively to secure its future in a rapidly changing world.
The plenary debate concluded the European Council meeting of 18 December 2025.
Read the full speech here: https://link.europa.eu/vrFgg4
Watch the whole plenary debate on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission: https://link.europa.eu/KJMCnh
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After a series of turbulent global events across the world, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gave an opening speech in the plenary debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 21 January 2026. In her speech, she will address the EU's sovereignty amid rising geopolitical tensions and threats.
In her speech, von der Leyen argues that the global order has permanently shifted toward a faster, power-driven and more unstable world. This will require Europe to adapt to realities rather than preferences. She calls for accelerating European independence across security, defence, technology and the economy. Arctic security, support for Greenland, continued unity with allies, and unwavering military and financial backing for Ukraine are particularly important in this regard. Additionally, Europe must reduce economic dependencies through diversified trade partnerships, and must act faster and more decisively to secure its future in a rapidly changing world.
The plenary debate concluded the European Council meeting of 18 December 2025.
Read the full speech here: https://link.europa.eu/vrFgg4
Watch the whole plenary debate on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission: https://link.europa.eu/KJMCnh
Disclaimer: Comments considered in breach of our social media moderation policy may be removed. You can take a look at it here: https://europa.eu/!q4KMP8
Follow us on:
-X: twitter.com/EU_Commission
-Instagram: instagram.com/europeancommission
-Facebook: facebook.com/EuropeanCommission
-LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/european-commission
-Medium: medium.com/@EuropeanCommission
Check our website: https://commission.europa.eu/
