Her route includes Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria. These countries share a direct border with Russia or Belarus, or lie on the Black Sea, and feel particularly vulnerable due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
By traveling there, Von der Leyen wants to make clear that the security of these countries is also the security of the entire Union.
The tour takes place ahead of her annual State of the Union address, which she will deliver on September 10 in Strasbourg. In that speech, the Commission President outlines the main directions of European policy for the coming years. The talks with Eastern European leaders give her the opportunity to incorporate the region’s current concerns into her strategy.
Von der Leyen will speak with governments about joint measures to curb the Russian threat. This concerns strengthening defensive cooperation and coordinating support for Ukraine. For the EU, it is important to show that member states at the external border are not standing alone.
In previous statements, Von der Leyen has emphasized that Russian President Putin must cease his war and return to the negotiating table. She ties that appeal to the promise that Europe will continue to support Ukraine—with military means, economic aid, and political backing.
The war in Ukraine continues unabated. The country is pushing for more international support and wants to accelerate its accession to the European Union. The accession talks with Brussels will enter a decisive phase next week, which further increases the urgency of Von der Leyen’s visit.