European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe must adopt a more realistic and interest-driven foreign policy as global power dynamics shift, referencing debate around the conflict involving Iran.

Speaking at the EU Ambassadors’ Conference 2026, von der Leyen said arguments over whether the situation in Iran represents a “war of choice” or a “war of necessity” risk missing the broader geopolitical context shaping international security.

She argued that Europe can no longer act as a custodian of a past global order and must recognise that the international environment has fundamentally changed.

While stressing that the European Union will continue to defend the rules-based international system developed with its allies, von der Leyen warned the bloc cannot rely on it alone to protect its interests or shield it from emerging threats.

She said Europe must therefore ensure it can deliver a more pragmatic and strategically driven foreign policy in response to a more complex global landscape.

ℹ️ EC AV Portal

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