European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the European Parliament on Wednesday morning, focusing on Syria and Ukraine. She stated that Syria shares a maritime border with an EU member state and has deeply impacted the Union over the past decade. Von der Leyen described the fall of Bashar al-Assad as a liberation for the Syrian people, referencing harrowing accounts of torture and deaths in Assad’s prisons. She cited examples, including a young girl imprisoned for 14 years over a social media post and babies born in detention who never saw daylight, as indicators of the oppressive regime’s brutality. For the first time in decades, hope is returning to Syria, she said.
Von der Leyen noted that while Assad’s regime is gone, a new Syria has yet to be built. She called some initial actions by the new leadership encouraging but acknowledged unanswered questions about political transition, minority protections, and the ongoing fight against Daesh. She emphasised that Syria’s future holds both promise and peril, with Europe playing a key role. She highlighted Europe’s strategic interest in supporting a credible and inclusive transition and shared that she recently discussed regional stability during visits to Jordan and Turkey.
The European Union has maintained a presence in Damascus to support those in need while upholding principles against collaboration or funding of Assad’s regime. This presence, she explained, now takes on a new dimension as the EU strengthens direct engagement with HTS and other factions, recognising the need to be on the ground for Syria’s future. Von der Leyen announced a new humanitarian air bridge through Turkey and Jordan and an increase in EU humanitarian aid to over €160 million this year, with further support contingent on improved access across the country.
Von der Leyen stressed the importance of transitioning from humanitarian aid to recovery and reconstruction efforts, focusing on electricity, water, and infrastructure. However, she warned that this support would be contingent on genuine progress toward an inclusive political process. She also mentioned that EU sectoral sanctions might be reconsidered if there is meaningful progress in political reforms.
Addressing the issue of Syrian refugees, Von der Leyen said the regime’s fall has inspired hope among many, with some already beginning to return. However, she cautioned that the United Nations has identified risks for individuals and ethnic groups. She emphasised that refugee returns must be voluntary, safe, and dignified, and assured that Europe would support those choosing to return.
Von der Leyen also highlighted the broader implications of Syria’s developments, portraying Assad’s fall as a cautionary tale about the limits of Russia’s influence. She linked it to the ongoing war in Ukraine, describing Putin’s strategy as an attempt to gain ground and intimidate Ukrainians, backed by new weapons and troops from North Korea. Supporting Ukraine, she said, is both a moral and strategic imperative. She detailed EU efforts, including energy system support, financial aid, and military assistance, to bolster Ukraine against Russia’s advances.
The EU has provided Ukraine with generators, transformers, and electrical components, but Von der Leyen acknowledged a capacity gap. She called for more action to repair Ukraine’s infrastructure, improve connectivity, and enhance decentralised power generation. Beyond the winter, she stressed the importance of securing Ukraine’s financial and economic stability, citing EU contributions of €13 billion from the Ukraine Facility in 2025 and the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
Von der Leyen asserted that undermining Russia’s war economy is crucial. She highlighted the 15th sanctions package targeting Russia’s shadow fleet and smuggling networks, with a 16th package already underway. These measures, she said, have severely impacted Russia’s economy, with inflation soaring in some sectors and the rouble hitting record lows despite central bank interventions. She reiterated that as long as the war continues, the cost to Russia will rise.
Concluding, Von der Leyen praised Ukraine’s progress toward EU membership and urged readiness to open negotiations in early 2025. She stressed that Ukraine must remain an independent state with the right to determine its future and emphasised that the security of Ukraine is integral to Europe’s security. She called for a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and Europe, ending with a declaration of commitment to European unity.
Reporting by Petros Afxentiou
Also read: Mapping Assad’s fall and the distribution of a new Syria (VIDEO)
