Von der Leyen: Putin is predator who has started four wars in past 25 years

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday said Russian President Vladimir Putin was a “predator” who has launched four wars in the past 25 years and “will not change” his behaviour.

“Putin will not change. He is a predator who, over the past 25 years, has started four wars: in Chechnya, in Georgia, in Crimea, and with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine”, she stated.

She stressed that only strong deterrence can stop Putin, and therefore the European Union must remain vigilant and coordinated. “We must be coordinated, precise, and swift in the EU and particularly in strengthening the defense positions of frontline states. That is why, in the coming weeks, we will prepare a roadmap for how to invest in the EU, in our defense posture, with additional funds for defense”.

According to von der Leyen, the EU will analyse existing defence gaps and define objectives and milestones up to 2030. These plans will be discussed at the European Council in early October under Denmark’s presidency.

Von der Leyen described Ukraine as the first line of defence for European security.

“The Ukrainian army is a steel hedgehog. The second line is the multinational ‘coalition of the willing’ with US support, and the third and most important line is our own defensive position. And, of course, we must not forget about working toward Ukraine’s EU membership”, she underlined.