BRUSSELS

Former European Commissioner Thierry Breton on Tuesday criticized the US decision to impose visa bans on five European figures, including himself, describing the move as a "dangerous path" and calling on Europe to respond swiftly.

The US imposed visa restrictions on five individuals accused of leading organized efforts to coerce platforms into censoring "American viewpoints," Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Dec. 24.

The EU Commission strongly condemned the decision, pledged swift and decisive measures to defend the bloc’s regulatory autonomy, and said it had requested clarifications from US authorities while remaining engaged on the matter.

Breton, who served as European Commissioner for Internal Market from 2019 to 2024, said on broadcaster RTL that the sanctions go "beyond my person" and primarily affect Europe.

"I simply did my job as a European official. If we accept that, as a European Commissioner, we are ostracized, blamed, and punished for carrying out the mandate entrusted to us, then we are embarking on an extraordinarily dangerous path," he said.

He urged European institutions to react quickly and firmly, emphasizing that failing to do so could intimidate future commissioners and hinder their ability to execute European mandates.

"This is the first time such a measure has targeted European institutions," Breton said, adding: "This could be seen as a test of the European Union's resilience in the face of the United States' ambitions."

"Let's not be naive. We are surrounded by empires, by predators, who don't have our best interests at heart," he added, citing Russia, China, and the United States. "We are a continent of peace, and we must move very quickly to acquire the necessary power, as the balance of power will shape relations in 2026."