European Union President declares war on Putin during State of the Union address
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wasn’t subtle when she arrived to deliver her annual State of the Union address dressed in yellow and blue.
The EU’s top diplomat used her speech to slam Russian President Vladimir Putin. She demonstrated the bloc’s solidarity with Ukraine.
Von der Leyen labeled the invasion as one of “autocracy against democracy”.
“I stand here with the conviction that with the necessary courage and necessary solidarity, Putin will fail and Europe will prevail,” she said.
The EU President also highlighted how the ongoing energy crisis is tied to Russia’s war.
Von der Leyen put forward a proposal to cap the revenue of electricity producers, who continue to make huge profits. This scheme could raise €140 billion.
“They (the companies) have to pay a fair share – they have to give a crisis contribution,” she said.
“In these times, it is wrong to receive extraordinary record revenues and profits benefiting from war and on the back of consumers,” she continued.
The President was somewhat candid when admitting the warning signs of war that were ignored.
She says ongoing sanctions have left “Russia’s industry in tatters” and believes Putin’s financial sector is “on life support”.
It comes as more than 1000 companies have departed the nation since the war began.
