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EU's von der Leyen praises bloc's progress on competitiveness
As I mentioned earlier, the EU’s von der Leyen is speaking now in Brussels on “one year after the Draghi report.”
Painting a rather rosy picture, she argues that Europe “is not only a challenger, but a leader in many fields that will define that race” on innovation, including computing power and AI adoption.
She insists that Europe “is not playing catch up” like it was during the rise of the Internet, but is “among the frontrunners.”
But on a slightly more critical tone, she says that Europe “needs to capitalise on our strengths” as she pointed out that the bloc’s “single market is far from being completed” and this needs to change to help companies grow.
“It should not be easier to find a fortune across an ocean than across a European border, and we have started to address these barriers,” she says, stressing plans to progress reforms by 2028.
She also talks about the progress on cleaner energy, even as she admits that “our energy prices remain still far too high, too volatile, too disparate across Europe” with more to be done on interconnectors and grids across the continent.
Von der Leyen also talks about the need to reduce Europe’s dependencies, particularly on China. “With the right policies, we can shore up our security,” she says.
I’ll keep monitoring her speech for key lines.
More than 3,500 drones launched at Ukraine this month, Zelenskyy says
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy said that Russia has launched more than 3,500 drones and nearly 190 missiles against Ukraine so far this month.
“There have also been provocations against our partners,” he said on X, refering to recent Russian drone incursions into Poland and Romania.
“This is precisely the kind of aerial terror against which Ukraine is calling for joint defence – so that no one has to scramble combat aircraft in haste and feel Russia’s pressure on their borders.”
He added:
“Now is the time to implement the joint protection of our European skies with a multi-layered air defense system.
All the technologies for this are already in place. What is needed are investments and determination – strong action.”
Zelenskyy also offered an update on overnight attacks on Zaporizhzhia, which he said injured 13, including two children. In the Mykolaiv region, one person was killed after a strike on what he called “an ordinary farm.”
Morning opening: Welcome back to Europe, Mr Trump
Jakub Krupa
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for US president Donald Trump to take “a clear position” on Russia, including sanctions and security guarantees for Ukraine.
In an interview with Sky News, published overnight, he said it was the missing piece to progress peace talks as he urged Trump to take “strong personal steps” to “stop Putin.”
He stressed that he hoped UK prime minister Keir Starmer could gain more clarity from Trump during his state visit to the UK, beginning tonight.
We may hear from Trump himself later as he makes his way to London.
Separately, US state secretary Marco Rubio told reporters in Israel that Trump would “probably” meet with Zelenskyy again during next week’s UN general assembly in New York.
“He’s going to keep trying. If peace is possible, he wants to achieve it,” Rubio said.
Elsewhere, the EU will be looking at the progress it’s made on competitiveness, a year on from the Draghi report that became an obligatory point of reference in all discussions on the bloc’s economy. EU’s Ursula von der Leyen and the man himself are up shortly.
It’s Tuesday, 16 September 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
