25.09.2025 16:09
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen targeted Russia in an interview with CNN. In response to the CNN reporter's question, "Turkey shot down a Russian plane 10 years ago, isn't it your turn now?" she replied, "NATO's borders are inviolable; we can shoot down Russian jets that violate the border."
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made statements to the US press while in New York for the 80th United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
"WE WILL CONTINUE ON OUR PATH"
In response to a question regarding US President Donald Trump's statements at the UN General Assembly that "climate change and green energy are the biggest hoaxes in history," Ursula von der Leyen said, "We will continue on our path with renewable energy. Because we believe it is good for the climate. It provides good job opportunities in Europe and is cheaper than fossil fuels. Because we do not have to import them. Renewable energy gives us independence and energy security."
"THE ENTRY OF RUSSIAN FOSSIL FUELS INTO EUROPE THROUGH THE BACK DOOR IS UNACCEPTABLE"
In response to a question about President Trump's condition that EU countries must stop purchasing energy from Russia to impose sanctions on Russia, von der Leyen replied, "President Trump is right. What is unacceptable is the entry of Russian fossil fuels into Europe through the back door."
Pointing out that Europe has significantly reduced its imports of Russian fossil fuels since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, von der Leyen stated, "We have achieved a very large reduction. However, we see that liquefied natural gas (LNG) is coming through the back door. Therefore, we proposed sanctions on LNG coming from Russia to the European market."
"THEY WILL HAVE TO COMPLETELY ABANDON LNG IN A FEW MONTHS"
In response to questions about President Trump's comments that "Europe is financing a war against itself," von der Leyen said, "Look, three years ago when the war started, there was a significant dependency on Russian gas. Putin cut off the gas, and we experienced a major energy crisis. We diversified our supply routes to other countries and friends. We made significant investments in renewable energy and nuclear power. As a result, we have almost freed ourselves from Russian fossil fuels today. Therefore, it is true, we need to finish this job. We must get rid of Russian fossil fuels. This is filling Russia's war chest."
Von der Leyen added, "There are still some member states in the EU that use LNG and Russian oil, and we have prepared a very clear sanctions package here. They have to completely abandon LNG in a few months because it has now been included in the sanctions scope."
CHINA SAID THEY WOULD NOT APPLY TARIFFS FOR POLITICAL REASONS
In response to a question about Trump's demand for a 100% customs duty on China from the EU, von der Leyen stated, "It is true that we need to reduce Putin's war chest as much as possible. Therefore, for example, we have already imposed a ban on refined products obtained from Russian fossil fuels, and this ban also affects countries like Turkey and India. However, we are also imposing sanctions on banks, refineries, and different companies where we still see our investments being violated."
On the other hand, von der Leyen expressed that it is not possible to impose tariffs on China for political reasons, stating, "In our political system, it is not possible to impose customs duties for foreign policy reasons. We can only implement customs duties for economic reasons."
"THE OPTION TO SHOOT DOWN RUSSIAN FIGHTER JETS IS ON THE TABLE"
In response to Russia's airspace violations and President Trump's statements that planes violating European airspace should be shot down, von der Leyen replied that "this decision belongs to NATO." However, she added, "I believe we must defend every inch of our territory. This means that in the case of an unauthorized entry into our airspace, after a warning has been issued and the situation has been clearly stated, the option to shoot down the unauthorized fighter jet is on the table."
In response to the comment that "Turkey did this 10 years ago," von der Leyen replied, "Yes," stating that such a step is related to NATO's fifth article. When asked when Russia would respond to Europe, von der Leyen said, "Russia is testing us in every area. This is a hybrid war that Russia has been waging against the EU and other democracies for many years. Therefore, we are responding in different areas. As I said, while this is a NATO decision, I want to say very clearly; do not touch our territories."
"WE ARE WORKING HARD FOR PALESTINE"
In response to a question about the effects of countries recognizing the state of Palestine, Ursula von der Leyen stated, "I think the most important thing is that there is an absolute consensus on the two-state solution. This is the most important thing. Here, there is also complete unity in Europe. We see the future in a two-state solution, and we are working hard for this."
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