European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated that “the West as we knew it no longer exists.” Her remarks came during a discussion of the “historic” changes underway, driven in part by the presidency of Donald Trump in the United States.
In an interview with the German publication Die Zeit, von der Leyen emphasized that the world is undergoing a profound period of transformation, significantly influenced by U.S. foreign policy.
She defended the European Union’s stance on regulating American digital services, stressing that the EU would not accept “brothers or oligarchs who make the rules” in this domain. She also called on European countries to invest more in producing and purchasing within Europe—especially when it comes to defense supplies, which have become increasingly vital.
Regarding European security, von der Leyen warned: “While Putin may pause from time to time, there are no limits to his imperial ambitions,” highlighting the existential threats facing the EU from the East.
Her comments follow a period of strained U.S.-EU relations, with the European Union voicing concerns over a lack of sufficient U.S. commitment to resolving trade disputes and maintaining stability in transatlantic ties.
