Brussels, 10 September 2025

 

Key Points:

• JEF Europe welcomes the continued support to Ukraine expressed in the SOTEU; especially the proposal to use parts of Russian frozen assets, the planned summit on the return of replaced Ukrainian children, and the strengthening of the eastern member states;

• Additionally, we support the planned initiatives the Commission has taken regarding the situation in Gaza by partially suspending the EU-Israel agreement and the sanctions against violent settlers and ultraorthodox political decision makers in the Israeli government while calling for the release of the remaining hostages;

• While Von der Leyen proclaimed to want to move away from unanimity and to a qualified majority in some policy areas, without pushing for treaty change, this remains an empty statement;

• While her push for the possible abolishment of unanimity is a good step, JEF Europe demands that, in order to be able to tackle the challenges that lie ahead, to swiftly change the treaties so that Europe can stay decisive and relevant.

 

Today, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen held her annual speech on the State of the European Union (SOTEU), which appeared to be a balancing act to unite the different center parties in Parliament amidst tensions between the Commission and Parliament.

We welcome the strong commitment to continued support to Ukraine, especially the proposal to use the Russian frozen assets as ‘Reparations Loan’. However, the details of this plan remain to be fleshed out. Additionally we strongly support the initiative and the announcement on a summit on the return of forcefully replaced Ukrainian children that are still held in Russia. Strengthening the European eastern flank is an important announcement and a sign of European solidarity towards the countries that are exposed the most towards Russia. 

Von der Leyen also took note of the intergovernmental deadlock and finally offered strong and needed initiatives announcing that the Commission would be partially suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement as well as impose sanctions against violent settlers and extremist Israeli ministers  and thereby respond to criticism of the EU’s inactivity in the matter. This was underlined by a demand to free the hostages still in Hamas’ captivity. 

One year almost to the day after the publication of the Draghi report, the President’s speech touched on future projects on AI through strengthening cooperation with the industry thereby strengthening Europe as a business location. Most of the measures highlighted by Mario Draghi remain incomplete or to start, hence why we welcome the call to finish the European single market by 2028, which however needs clear and tangible steps: This comes amongst other announcements concerning housing and quality jobs, as well strengthening the European clean industry and establishing a true European circular economy, one of the few points on climate apart from the mention of ambitious goals.. 

She also addressed the lingering dissatisfaction with the EU-US trade deal and the 15% tariffs, justifying making these deals as a way to prevent a full blown trade war that would harm every sector involved, especially jobs in Europe. While this can make sense in a geo-political context, this explanation comes far too late to dissolve the feeling that Europe had to give in to US-blackmailing.

Lastly, Von der Leyen expressed the Commission’s desire to work more closely with the other institutions especially with the European Parliament, announcing the renewal of framework agreements, promising a stronger cooperation. She finished by expressing support for a right to initiative of the European Parliament while calling to abandon unanimity and move to a qualified majority in some policy areas. 

 

While JEF Europe supports these ideas, we fail to see how  Von der Leyen envisioned without changing the Treaties, a necessary step that was not mentioned in the speech. Without this next federalist leap, her wishes will remain hollow in the face of the structural changes the EU needs to undertake if it wants to be ready and united for what lies ahead.
 

“Beyond a Scaleup Europe fund, it is more than time to scale up our union! It requires taking decisive steps, both politically and in reforms and moving beyond simple statements towards the reform of our institutions, in parallel to the “reunification” of the enlargement. A federal Europe would and will allow the Union to go past current divisions” declares Christelle Savall, President of the Young European Federalists (JEF Europe).

 

Further reading: 

For a More Federal European Union: Ensuring a Democratic Treaty Change and Constitutional Amendment Process – JEF Europe

For an ethical and efficient EU policy and international framework on Artificial Intelligence – JEF Europe

JEF Europe’s Position on the Future of the Israeli–Palestinian Peace Process

An Accelerated Transition to the Circular Economy – JEF Europe

Statement I An imbalanced and uncertain EU-US trade deal: a federal EU is the best protection against Trump’s whims – JEF Europe

Statement: Don’t sell out – Ukrainian territorial integrity is non-negotiable! – JEF Europe

 

Contact:

Christelle Savall
President
Young European Federalists (JEF Europe)
president@jef.eu