Melike Pala
11 March 2026•Update: 11 March 2026
BRUSSELS
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday stressed the EU's "unwavering" commitment to international law and the UN Charter, following criticisms sparked by her recent remarks that Europe could no longer rely on a "rules-based system."
Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, von der Leyen said the EU remains firmly anchored in the principles that shaped its founding.
"The European Union was founded as a peace project. Our unwavering commitment to the pursuit of peace, to the principles of the UN Charter and to international law are as central today as they were at our creation. And we will always uphold these principles," she said.
Her remarks came two days after she faced backlash for saying "Europe can no longer be a custodian for the old world order," comments critics argued could signal a shift away from the rules-based international system.
Former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell pushed back against suggestions that the rules-based international order is becoming obsolete, stressing international law remains binding under EU treaties and that its "expiration cannot be decreed by anyone in a speech."
Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz also criticized her remarks, saying: "We must demand respect for international law. Anything else is barbarity. That's why what Ursula von der Leyen just said falls short."
Addressing lawmakers, von der Leyen repeated her remarks that there should be "no tears shed" for the "regime" of Iran, which is under US-Israeli attacks since Feb. 28, accusing it of decades of repression against its own population.
At the same time, she emphasized that recognizing the nature of the Iranian regime does not diminish Europe's commitment to international norms.
"Seeing the world as it is, in no way diminishes our determination to fight for the world we want," she said.
- Going back to Russian fossil fuels 'would be strategic blunder'
Von der Leyen also warned that the escalating tensions in the Middle East are already affecting global energy markets, with gas prices rising by around 50% and oil prices by 27% since the start of the conflict.
She said the price surge has already cost European taxpayers an additional €3 billion ($3.4 billion) in fossil fuel imports in just 10 days, highlighting what she called the "price of our dependency" on energy from unstable regions.
Von der Leyen pointed to differences in taxation across EU countries, noting that taxes and levies remain a national competence but can significantly affect energy prices.
Some members tax electricity much more heavily than gas, she said, citing examples where retail electricity is taxed at 0% in one country but exceeds 16% in others.
"That makes a difference. There is room for action," she added.
Von der Leyen urged EU countries to stay the course on the bloc's long-term energy strategy, including expanding renewables and nuclear power, warning against calls to return to Russian fossil fuels.
"That would be a strategic blunder," she said, arguing it would make Europe "more dependent, more vulnerable and weaker."
