Von der Leyen Urges Europe to “Throw off Shackles” for True Independence

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the critical need to overcome Europe's dependence on external influences, particularly the United States, calling for "throwing off our shackles” and building a truly independent continent by increasing defence spending and expanding the EU, in particular by accepting Ukraine.

The Gaze reports on this with reference to Politico.

During her speech at the Charlemagne Prize award ceremony in Aachen, Germany, the President of the European Commission emphasised the importance of completely freeing Europe from excessive external dependence.

‘To build an independent Europe, we must throw off our shackles,’ she stressed.

According to her, the next major European project is the creation of an independent Europe that is capable of shaping its own international order and defending its own interests.

Pointing to growing concern in Europe about excessive dependence on the United States, von der Leyen presented independence as the next step in a series of historic European projects, such as securing peace after World War II, forming a common market and currency, and reuniting Europe after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989.

The European Commission President outlined four key tasks for achieving independence: increasing defence spending to ensure peace; strengthening innovation and competitiveness for sustainable growth; expanding the EU, which she called a ‘historic reunification’; and renewing and strengthening democracy to protect member states from internal and external threats.

‘The fact that we can now provide up to €800 billion in defence funding would have been impossible a few years ago. We are doing this because we want to do everything we can to protect peace... If we do not want to simply accept the consequences of the new international order, we must shape it ourselves,’ she said.

According to von der Leyen, a united and stronger Europe will give the continent more influence in the world and help reduce dependencies, with the accession of Ukraine, the Western Balkans, Moldova and, ‘hopefully,’ Georgia as one of the main tasks.

‘I am deeply convinced that history is now calling us to action. Just as in 1989, when the winds of change swept across Europe,’ she added.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, at the ceremony to award the Charlemagne Prize to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, said that Europe is ready, if necessary, to fight for its fundamental values – freedom and democracy – thus responding to repeated criticism of the EU by the Trump administration.

Merz also said that Germany would not stand aside in strengthening Europe and welcomed the ‘new spirit of unity’ among Europeans. He cited as examples the support for Ukraine and the renewal of trade and defence relations with Britain earlier this month.

Read more: New Strategic Autonomy: How Europe Can Support Itself and Ukraine Without the US