European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Friday that Ukraine needs around €3 billion to €4 billion a month to cover basic needs. She announced the European Union will provide around €1.5 billion per month or a total of €18 billion in 2023, while the rest will come from the United States and financial institutions.
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On China, Von der Leyen said that President Xi Jinping is continuing Beijing's assertive, self-reliant course" and seeking to increase China's influence in Southeast Asia and globally. She cautioned that the EU must be "very vigilant" when it comes to dependency on China, especially in the trade of technologies and raw materials. She reiterated the bloc must reinforce its own capacities and diversify toward reliable suppliers.
EU measures already lowering market gas prices - Von der Leyen
Recently adopted measures addressing the energy crisis in the European Union are already impacting the market price of gas at the TTF level, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Friday. She stressed the goal is to "take out speculation and to make impossible the obvious manipulation that we see partially in the TTF index by Russia."
On the decoupling of gas from the formation of the price of electricity, Von der Leyen said there are still challenges in balancing the payment among all member states. She said that up to €300 billion is available to member states for green transition projects in order to "take the financial burden off the member states' shoulders to give them more leeway to support, for example, vulnerable households."
EU to give €18B to Ukraine in 2023
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Friday that Ukraine needs around €3 billion to €4 billion a month to cover basic needs. She announced the European Union will provide around €1.5 billion per month or a total of €18 billion in 2023, while the rest will come from the United States and financial institutions.
On China, Von der Leyen said that President Xi Jinping is continuing Beijing's assertive, self-reliant course" and seeking to increase China's influence in Southeast Asia and globally. She cautioned that the EU must be "very vigilant" when it comes to dependency on China, especially in the trade of technologies and raw materials. She reiterated the bloc must reinforce its own capacities and diversify toward reliable suppliers.
EU China
EU leaders held talks on ties with China on Friday, seeking to avoid outright confrontation with Beijing, while recognising the threat it poses, European Council chief Charles Michel said.
"This discussion showed a very clear will to avoid being naive, but neither did we want to embark into a logic of systematic confrontation," Michel said.
The 27-nation bloc held three hours of strategic talks on its approach to China as President Xi Jinping tightens his grip over an ever more assertive Beijing.
Torn between the desire to access China's vast markets and condemnation of its rights abuses and aggressive regional policies, the EU has struggled to fashion a cohesive stance towards Beijing.
"We will always be firm in standing up to defend our principles, democracy, fundamental freedoms," Michel said.
"We believe that we must be committed to bringing more reciprocity and rebalancing in particular in the economic relations between China and the EU."
Michel said that the EU remained open to cooperation with the EU on major international issues such as climate change and health.
He insisted that the bloc has its "own model to develop" at a time of intensifying rivalry between China and the United States.
EU executive head Ursula von der Leyen said Beijing was "continuing its mission to establish its dominance in East Asia and its influence globally".
She also warned about the close ties between China and Russia as Moscow has rocked the international order by launching its war on Ukraine.
"These developments will affect the EU-China relationship," von der Leyen said.
Chastened by the chaos caused by its reliance on Russia for energy, the EU is keen to ensure it doesn't fall into the same trap by becoming dependant on China for critical raw materials and technologies.
"Obviously, we have to be very vigilant when it comes to dependencies. And we've learned our lesson," von der Leyen said.
The EU is seeking to present a united front over China -- but that has been clouded by the differing economic interests of its members.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the leader of the bloc's economic powerhouse Germany, announced Friday that he will take a government delegation to China next month.
It will be the first visit by an EU leader to the country since November 2019.
