State of the Union: President von der Leyen addresses migration and security

In her State of the Union address, European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, emphasised the importance of a united and strong Europe in the face of global challenges related to migration and security.

She underlined the need for a more effective and humane migration management system, which will be supported by the proposal to triple funding for migration and border management in the next EU budget.

President von der Leyen announced plans to destroy the business model of smugglers, who exploit vulnerable people and put their lives at risk:

“We need a new system of sanctions specifically targeted at people smugglers and traffickers. To freeze their assets. To restrict their ability to move around. To cut off their profits. People smuggling is a horrible, criminal business, and no smuggler should be allowed to get away with it in Europe.”

President von der Leyen also stressed the importance of returning rejected asylum seekers to their home countries, with only around 20% of those who are not allowed to stay in the EU actually leaving the Union. She called for a swift agreement on the Common European Return System and the full implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact once it starts to apply in June 2026.

President von der Leyen also reiterated the EU's commitment to Ukraine's independence and sovereignty. She called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, emphasising that Ukraine's freedom is Europe's freedom, condemning Russia's ongoing aggression and announcing plans for a new sanctions package.

"We need to work urgently on a new solution to finance Ukraine's war effort on the basis of the immobilised Russian assets. With the cash balances associated to these Russian assets, we can provide Ukraine with a Reparations Loan. […] Ukraine will only pay back the loan once Russia pays for the reparations. The money will help Ukraine already today."

President von der Leyen pledged to work with the European Parliament and all pro-European democratic forces to deliver for Europeans and protect the EU's values and interests.