Wed Sep 10 11:30:11 UTC 2025: ## EU Chief Announces Measures Against Israel, Increased Support for Ukraine Amid Divisive Stance
**Strasbourg, France** – In her annual State of the Union address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a controversial plan to impose new measures against Israel while simultaneously bolstering support for Ukraine, a move that is already facing pushback from some EU member states.
Addressing the European Parliament, von der Leyen condemned the “catastrophic” situation in Gaza and proposed a “package of measures” targeting Israel, including sanctions on “extremist Israeli ministers” and settlers, suspension of bilateral support, and a suspension of the EU’s association agreement, which grants preferential access to European markets. She justified the move by stating, “Man-made famine can never be a weapon of war,” emphasizing the need to protect children and uphold humanitarian principles.
However, the announcement drew immediate criticism from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who accused von der Leyen of echoing Hamas propaganda and sending the “wrong message” that strengthens radical elements in the Middle East.
The proposals also face significant hurdles within the EU itself. Sanctions and the suspension of the trade agreement require unanimous approval from all 27 member states, and countries like the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Germany are expected to resist such measures. Conversely, nations like Spain and Ireland have long advocated for stricter economic curbs and an arms embargo against Israel.
On the Ukrainian front, von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to Kyiv, proposing a summit to coordinate the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia and advocating for the use of frozen Russian assets to fund a “reparations loan” for Ukraine. This comes as the EU prepares its 19th package of sanctions against Moscow, focusing on phasing out Russian fossil fuels, sanctioning the shadow oil shipping fleet used for circumvention, and targeting third countries involved in aiding Russia.
Despite the EU’s substantial support for Ukraine to date, including nearly €140 billion in financial, humanitarian, and military assistance, further measures against Russia also face resistance. Hungary and Slovakia, heavily reliant on Russian energy, have previously blocked similar initiatives.
The announcement comes against a backdrop of heightened global tensions, with von der Leyen defending a recent tariffs deal with Washington as a crucial step in stabilizing transatlantic relations. She also called for a new EU sanctions system targeting people smugglers and traffickers as part of a broader strategy to manage migration effectively.
The EU’s path forward on both Israel and Ukraine remains uncertain, as the bloc navigates internal divisions and external pressures. While von der Leyen urged member states to take “our own responsibility,” the coming weeks will reveal whether the EU can achieve a united front on these critical issues.
First Piper 