Brussels, March 9 (SANA) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a stark warning on Monday, stating that the war in the Middle East has transcended its regional boundaries and is now directly impacting Europe through surging energy prices and heightened security threats to EU and NATO member states.
Addressing EU ambassadors in Brussels, von der Leyen remarked: “We are currently witnessing a regional conflict whose spillover effects have become a reality today.” She noted that the war is no longer a distant crisis, as European citizens find themselves “caught in the crossfire” and the Union’s strategic partners face direct aggression.
The Commission President specifically highlighted the recent drone attack on the British Royal Air Force (RAF) base at Akrotiri in Cyprus—a sovereign base area on EU soil—as well as the significant disruptions to global trade and the resulting “displacement of populations.”
The long-term impact of the war, she argued, raises “existential questions” about the future of a rules-based international order and the global standing of the 27-nation bloc. She concluded by dismissing the idea of European isolationism: “The notion of retreating or withdrawing from a chaotic world is nothing but an illusion,” underscoring the necessity for Europe to remain actively engaged in resolving international crises.
Economic indicators reflect these concerns, with reference oil prices surpassing the $100 per barrel threshold for the first time since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war four years ago. This surge is driven by the intensifying U.S.-Israeli-Iranian conflict, which has expanded to include targets in the Gulf, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, and Cyprus.
The region remains in a state of high military alert as mutual strikes continue to target vital infrastructure, raising global fears of a total blockade of strategic maritime corridors and a prolonged energy crisis.
