IDM Short Insights 49: Why Eastern Europe Matters for Europe’s Security ?
In her State of the Union speech, on 10 September 2025, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that Ukraine is defending not only itself but all of Europe. President of Moldova Maia Sandu also called on the European Parliament for stronger EU support for countries like Moldova & Ukraine facing Russian aggression and disinformation campaigns. Watch the latest IDM Short insights to find ! Sophia Beiter and Péter Techet, reporting from Vienna and Strasbourg.
Transcript:
“Wondering what the EU will focus on next year? In her State of the Union address on 10 September 2025, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen set out her priorities.”
1. What is the State of the Union address?
“The State of the Union address is an annual speech by the European Commission President to the European Parliament followed by a debate. In this speech, the Eu Commission President reflects on the past year and – most importantly – outlines the main initiatives priorities and her vision for the upcoming year.”
2. Why was Eastern Europe so important in the European Parliament now?
“Europe’s future is being shaped in the East. Rarely has this been felt so strongly in Strasbourg, in the European Parliament, as now.
In her State of the Union speech, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that Europe must defend itself – with the eastern members and candidate states at the core. As she said: “There is no doubt: Europe’s eastern flank keeps all of Europe safe. From the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea.”
A day earlier, Moldova’s President Maia Sandu warned that her country cannot withstand Russian aggression without the EU, and that without a resilient Moldova and Ukraine, the EU cannot safeguard its own security.“
3. What does Maia Sandu expect from the European Union?
“In her address to the European Parliament, Moldova´s President Maia Sandu warned of the hybrid war Russia is waging against her country.
She argued that Moldova’s efforts to resist Russian disinformation and military threats set an example for the entire EU. However, EU membership, she stressed, would be the most effective shield against Moscow.“
4. What can Ursula von der Leyen promise?
“In her State of the Union address, President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen placed Ukraine at the forefront of her speech. She called for more sanctions on Russia, the use of frozen Russian assets to finance new loans for Ukraine, and a stronger self-defence in Europe.
Von der Leyen stressed that few countries have contributed more to Europe’s defense than Ukraine itself.
She also announced concrete steps: a Drone Alliance with Ukraine and the front-loading of 6 Billion Euro from the G7-led Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration initiative.“
5. What underscored her call for urgent unity?
“As expected, Ursula von der Leyen also used her speech to push for unity among member states, EU institutions, and pro-European democratic forces to deliver for Europe. The urgency for united actions became once more clear on the very morning of her address, when more than ten Russian drones violated Poland’s airspace. Indications suggest that the attack could be intentional rather than accidental. Poland shot the drones down and is now in close consultation with NATO. In her speech, Von der Leyen condemned the incident as a reckless and unprecedented act and declared that Europe stands in full solidarity with Poland.”
