Ursula von der Leyen

President of the @EU_Commission. Mother of seven. Brussels-born. European by heart. 🇪🇺

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Democracy is never to be taken for granted. It should be protected, nurtured. Every day - and everywhere.

Our European Centre for Democratic Resilience brings together EU Member States.

So they can strengthen their democracies.
The resilience of their societies.
And so they counter foreign interference.

As of today, candidate countries can also join this work.

We can learn from one another. We can become stronger together.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

I warmly welcome @EUCouncil decision to adopt our proposal.

A new chapter starts today.

For Hungary and for Europe.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Hungary has taken important steps to strengthen the rule of law and protect the Union’s financial interests.

And reforms deliver results.

Today, we are proposing to unlock €4.2 billion and reopen the doors of Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe to Hungarian students and researchers.

I am very glad that they will once again fully benefit from the opportunities our Union creates.

https://t.co/ZUgPLTlPnv

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

The Black Sea has become another front of escalation of the Russian war in Ukraine.

This is unacceptable.

I strongly condemn the drone attacks on merchant ships near Bulgaria’s coast.

Putting the lives of the crew in grave danger and threatening security in the Black Sea.

We stand with Bulgaria and thank its rescuers for their swift response.

Those responsible should be held accountable.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Today we take a meaningful step towards a more complete Union.

I welcome the decision to close three additional negotiating chapters with Montenegro and one more with Albania.

This is thanks to the hard work of both countries.

And the remarkable European spirit of their people.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Really looking forward to it!

Because the EU and the UK have so much to achieve together.

Making trade in agrifood easier.

Deepening cooperation on energy and climate.

Bringing our people closer together.

Helping Ukraine prevail.

Strengthening our security and defence.

Tackling illegal migration.

Let's be ambitious and deliver for citizens on both sides of the Channel.

[António Costa @eucopresident]

Looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister @andyburnham to Brussels, alongside @vonderleyen, on 20 November 2026 for the second EU–UK Summit.

🇪🇺 & 🇬🇧 work together as like-minded partners, united by common values and shared interests.

Together, we aim to deepen our cooperation, strengthen our resilience, enhance our ability to tackle shared challenges, and promote stability in Europe and beyond.
https://t.co/TZDBdbjnTP

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Congratulations to Ülle Madise on becoming President of Estonia.

Your commitment to the rule of law and fundamental rights, including 11 years as Chancellor of Justice, will serve Estonia and Europe well.

I look forward to working together with you for a strong, secure and prosperous Europe.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Good call with @ZelenskyyUa today.

Fully supported the call of President Zelenskyy for a ceasefire that would protect global food supplies and energy infrastructure in Ukraine and Russia

The war has entered a new, grimmer phase.

Russia is stalling on the battlefield and striking civilians far behind the front lines.

I conveyed our solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

And my full support for President Zelenskyy as he leads the fight for his people’s freedom.

Ukraine will be front and centre at this week’s European Council.

We will discuss its funding needs for the year ahead and how to mobilise fresh global support.

This week, the EU will also provide further funding for drones and missiles.

To strengthen Ukraine’s defences and protect its skies.

We are also due to open two further clusters of chapters in the negotiations.

The momentum is real.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

The deadliest Houthi attack so far on Riyadh’s airport marks a dangerous escalation.

Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.

We stand in solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its people.

These attacks by Iran’s proxies are pushing the region into a spiral of violence.

They are destabilizing crucial global transport and energy nodes with shockwave sent through the world.

These murderous attacks at civilians must stop at once.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

This Mental Health Day, ask your kids how they are.

Young Europeans spend on average 4 to 6 hours a day on screens.

Engaging with some of the most sophisticated technology ever created.

For years, platforms have been playing fast and loose with our children's mental health.

With the KIDS Act, we are putting parents back in the driving seat.

And the burden of proving safety, on the platforms.

Because the question is not whether kids should have access to social media.

The question is whether social media platforms should have access to our children.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

In just two days, Russia’s rampage of violence has killed 78 people and wounded 215.

Buses attacked. Innocent civilians targeted as they go about their daily lives. Never to return home.

Pure and simple - these are war crimes.

Our thoughts are with the brave people of Ukraine.

Europe stands firmly by your side.

With more drones, missiles and air defence systems to protect your skies.

With budget support to keep your country running. And help to repair your energy infrastructure and keep you warm through winter.

Україно, ми з тобою.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

Doctors are now fighting to save the lives of people injured in the Russian strike on Kramatorsk. As of now, 30 people have been confirmed killed, and sadly, that number may rise. The Russian bomb effectively hit two city minibuses. Some of those killed have still not been identified because of the severity of their injuries. My condolences to all their families and loved ones. Another 18 people were injured in the strike. Residential buildings and cars were also damaged.

This strike will not go unanswered. Russia is trying to destroy all life in Donbas, and a response from the world is a must. A forceful response – exactly as the Russians deserve for all the deaths they have brought. May all those killed rest in peace.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Houthis have once again struck Riyadh’s airport, taking three innocent lives.

My thoughts are with the families of the victims.

We stand in full solidarity with the people of Saudi Arabia and all our Gulf partners.

Attacks on civilian infrastructure are unacceptable.

Iran's proxies must stop their reckless and violent acts.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Congratulations to lawyer and human rights activist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay on her Nobel Peace Prize.

Few have devoted their lives to justice, peace and human dignity like she did.

From the violence of apartheid in South Africa to the horrors of the Rwandan genocide, she has confronted some of humanity’s darkest chapters.

She has looked the brutality of injustice in the eye and never looked away.

She is the defender of the persecuted, the vulnerable, the voiceless and the excluded.

Of the rule of law over the right of might.

In a world that needs justice more than ever, her courage and moral clarity are a precious compass.

[The Nobel Prize @NobelPrize]

BREAKING NEWS
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2026 #NobelPeacePrize to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

#NobelPrize

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Good meeting with @Christodulides in the margins of the MED9.

We discussed the Cyprus settlement process.

And we talked about the next steps on Cyprus’ path into Schengen.

Our exchange also focused on next week’s crucial EUCO, where we will discuss lowering energy prices and the cost of living.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Bon échange avec @EmmanuelMacron à Split.

Deux priorités étroitement liées seront au cœur du prochain Conseil européen.

D’abord, les prix de l’énergie et les actions de la Commission européenne pour contenir leur hausse.

Nous avons discuté des achats conjoints, du dialogue avec l’industrie et du développement de l’électricité propre.

Ensuite, le prochain budget européen. Nous devons lui donner une ambition et des ressources à la hauteur des enjeux.

Pour notre sécurité énergétique. Pour notre défense. Et pour la place de l’Europe dans le monde.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Félicitations à Henri Kagan of France and Kenso Soai of Japan for winning this year's Nobel Prize in chemistry.

Their discoveries have opened new avenues for scientific research, including the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals.

Since this July, Japan is officially associated with Horizon Europe.

This means that Japanese researchers and organisations can now take part in the world's largest public research and innovation programme.

Together, Europe and Japan will continue breaking new frontiers.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Good to be in beautiful Split for this year's MED9 Summit.

The Mediterranean is the blue heart of our Union.

We are working hard to ensure a prosperous, resilient and sustainable future for the region.

By addressing energy costs, discussing EU enlargement, and promoting sustainable and integrated economies.