EUROPE will make sure that Russia’s “unprovoked and unjustified” aggression against Ukraine will be a “strategic failure”, though the Indo-Pacific region has started feeling the impact of the crisis, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday (25).
She also said energising the partnership with New Delhi is a “priority” for the bloc and added, “with Europe, what you see is what you get”.
Von der Leyen was speaking in New Delhi as part of her address at the Raisina Dialogue; India’s prime minister Narendra Modi was among those in the audience.
In his talks with von der Leyen earlier, Modi stressed the importance of giving peace a chance in Ukraine and the need to return to dialogue and diplomacy as the only way to achieve peace, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). It said both sides “expressed concern” about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and called for an immediate end to the violence. Both leaders also discussed the situation in the Indo-Pacific, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
In her address at the Raisina Dialogue, von der Leyen said the conflict in Ukraine will have an impact on the Indo-Pacific region and wondered about the “new international relations” that both China and Russia have called for after announcing their “no-limits” friendship.
“What happens in Ukraine will have an impact on the Indo-Pacific region. It already has. Countries battered by two years of the Covid-19 pandemic must deal now with rising prices for grain, energy and fertilisers as a direct result of Putin’s war of choice,” she said.
“For the Indo-Pacific region, it is as important as it is for Europe that borders are respected and that spheres of influence are rejected,” she added.
The European leader also questioned the “seemingly unrestrained pact” between Russia and China and said the invasion of Ukraine followed soon after the two countries announced a “no-limits” friendship in February with “no forbidden areas of cooperation”.
“In Europe, we see Russia’s aggression as a direct threat to our security. We will make sure that the unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine will be a strategic failure,” she said. “This is why we are doing all we can to help Ukraine fight for its freedom. This is why we immediately imposed massive, sharp and effective sanctions.”
The European Commission president also questioned “what it means, for Europe and Asia, that Russia and China have forged a seemingly unrestrained pact. They have declared that the friendship between them has no limits, that there are no forbidden areas of cooperation. This was in February this year.
“And then, the invasion of Ukraine followed. What can we expect from the new international relations that both have called for?”
Von der Leyen added, “This is a defining moment. Our decisions in these days will shape the decades to come. Our response to Russia’s aggression today will decide the future of both the international system and the global economy.”
On the EU’s ties with China, von der Leyen said Europe will continue to encourage Beijing to play its part in a peaceful and thriving Indo-Pacific region.
“The relationship between the European Union and China is simultaneously strategically important and challenging. All at once, China is a negotiating partner, an economic competitor and a systemic rival,” she said.
“We will continue to cooperate on tackling common challenges,” she added.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)