I want the people of the Western Balkans, of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to know: you are part of our family, your future is in our Union, and our Union is not complete without you, said European Commission President during her annual State of the EU speech, addressing challenges such as the energy crisis and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“There is a need to reach out to the countries of Europe - beyond the accession process… This is why I support the call for a European Political Community - and we will set out our ideas to the European Council. But our future also depends on our ability to engage beyond the core of our democratic partners.

One lesson from this war is we should have listened to those who know Putin.

To Anna Politkovskaya and all the Russian journalists who exposed the crimes, and paid the ultimate price. To our friends in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and to the opposition in Belarus. We should have listened to the voices inside our Union – in Poland, in the Baltics, and all across Central and Eastern Europe”, - said Ursula von der Leyen.