Ursula von der Leyen tours frontline EU states amid border tensions
The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has begun a tour of the EU's frontline member states to strengthen solidarity and defence.
Today, she visited the border between Poland and Belarus to express solidarity with Warsaw as it faces hybrid attacks.
Over four days, the head of the European executive will visit seven frontline countries, including Romania.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the EC President said a proposed EU budget for 2028-2034 would aim to triple funding for migration and border management.
"Member states that share a direct border with Russia and Belarus will receive additional European funding," Ms von der Leyen said. "I want to stress again that Europe's borders are a shared responsibility. For years, you and the Polish people have faced deliberate and cynical hybrid attacks, and I want to say that Europe stands with you in every possible way."
Mr Tusk called for firm resistance against Russia, comparing the current situation to Poland's Solidarity movement 45 years ago.
"The last weeks and days have made it very clear that no concessions or subtle games with Putin and aggressive Russia will lead to success or guarantee our security. Poland, Europe, Nato and the United States must once again, as we did 45 years ago when we received the support of the entire West as Solidarity was forming, be very firm, decisive, and united in the face of this latest version of the evil empire. There can be no more concessions," Mr Tusk said.
Also today, Ms von der Leyen will arrive in Sofia to meet Bulgarian Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov and visit a military enterprise and the country's largest arms production site. The visit is part of a four-day tour that has already taken her to Latvia, Estonia and Finland. She is scheduled to arrive in Lithuania on Monday, 1 September, before travelling to Romania.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
