EU's Independence Moment: One Year After Von Der Leyen's SOTEU

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her State of the European Union speech last year, framing the EU's situation as a 'fight' for independence. A year later, the EU's achievements and shortcomings are being assessed. In a recent podcast, EU officials and journalists discussed the EU's progress, including its response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing energy crisis. The podcast also touched on the EU's efforts to strengthen its defense and security capabilities. However, the discussion also highlighted areas where the EU has fallen short, such as its inability to present a unified front on key issues. The podcast is part of a series taking stock of the EU's performance one year after von der Leyen's SOTEU.