European lawmakers criticize von der Leyen for lumping Türkiye with Russia, China

Two members of the European Parliament have strongly criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for remarks that grouped Türkiye together with Russia and China as geopolitical influences the EU must guard against. Speaking at an event in Hamburg marking Die Zeit’s 80th anniversary, von der Leyen said: “We must succeed in completing the European continent so that it is not influenced by Russia, Türkiye, or China.” The statement quickly drew backlash for placing Türkiye—a NATO ally and EU candidate country—alongside two strategic rivals. The European Commission later clarified that Türkiye remains an “unquestionably important partner” and noted its roles in migration, economic cooperation, and the Middle Corridor.

Kennes: Europe is losing power

Belgian MEP Rudi Kennes told Anadolu that von der Leyen’s comments reflect a desperate attempt to maintain Western dominance in a multipolar world. “They’re (Europe) losing power. They’re knowing it. They cannot play the sheriff in the world anymore, because now we have a multiple world,” Kennes said. He linked the rhetoric to broader Western support for what he called “the cult project Greater Israel,” arguing that tensions involving Iran, Russia, and China are interconnected. “The only thing today they can do… is hopefully that big brother on the other side of the ocean will be able to stay in power. But they’re losing,” he added.

Botenga: Dangerous purity test

Fellow Belgian MEP Marc Botenga called von der Leyen’s framing “extremely weird” and factually inaccurate, noting that the EU maintains significant trade and cooperation frameworks with China while engaging Türkiye across multiple areas despite political differences. “She’s dividing the world between us and others, as if there’s some kind of purity test, as if she wants to conquer the rest of the continent,” Botenga said. He warned against a foreign policy that treats partners as enemies simply because of differences. “That’s a very, very dangerous view of the world to have,” he stated.

Türkiye’s position

For Türkiye, which has faced repeated delays in EU accession talks while maintaining critical roles in NATO, migration, and energy security, von der Leyen’s remarks were seen as a diplomatic slight. Ankara has consistently argued that it should be treated as a strategic partner, not a geopolitical threat. The intervention by two Belgian MEPs highlights growing dissent within European political circles over the Commission’s tone toward Türkiye.