European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s latest remarks suggesting the European Union must “complete the European continent so that it is not influenced by Russia, Türkiye or China” have drawn widespread criticism from analysts.
Speaking at an event marking the 80th anniversary of the German newspaper Die Zeit in Hamburg, von der Leyen reiterated her support for EU enlargement while grouping Türkiye alongside Russia and China.
“We must succeed in completing the European continent so that it is not influenced by Russia, Türkiye or China,” she said.
The controversial remarks prompted clarification from the European Commission, which stressed that Türkiye is “unquestionably an important partner” both economically and politically, and that its mention reflected its geopolitical weight rather than any direct comparison.
An EU Commission spokesperson underlined Türkiye’s role in strategic areas such as connectivity initiatives, including the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor, migration management, and its status as a NATO ally and EU candidate country, describing Ankara as a “key interlocutor.”
Extraordinary statement
Experts, however, expressed strong criticism over the tone and implications of the statement.
“Frankly I think this is an extraordinary statement,” Timothy Ash, associate fellow at Chatham House, told Anadolu, emphasising that Türkiye remains a loyal NATO ally and EU candidate.
He noted that Turkish forces contribute directly to Europe’s security, saying: “Türkiye is still a loyal ally of Europe — Turkish troops help defend Europe’s borders.”
“In an environment where Europe faces an existential threat from Russia, and the US backstop is weak/uncertain, surely Türkiye with its strong military and military industrial complex can help fill gaps in Europe’s defence,” Ash noted.
Significant challenges
The European Union continues to face significant challenges in building an effective and unified defence and security capacity, limiting its ability to act independently in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment.
Despite initiatives under the Common Security and Defence Policy, the bloc remains constrained by fragmented military structures, uneven defence spending and divergent strategic priorities among member states.
Analysts note that the EU still relies heavily on NATO, particularly the US, for critical capabilities such as intelligence, strategic transport and deterrence, underscoring a persistent gap between political ambition and operational readiness.
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