Brussels: The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, unveiled her new College of Commissioners and a strategic agenda that underscores the importance of unity, innovation, and European sovereignty during a session with the European Parliament on Wednesday. According to Anadolu Agency, von der Leyen addressed critical challenges such as energy security, economic competitiveness, and geopolitical instability. She highlighted Europe's historical struggles for freedom and committed the European Union's unwavering support for Ukraine, along with backing the EU accession ambitions of Western Balkans countries. "Europe's commitment to these countries will always be stronger than any threat from Russia," she declared. Von der Leyen emphasized the need to combat threats by enhancing energy independence, boosting defense capabilities, and deepening cooperation with NATO. Her "Competitiveness Compass" initiative aims to close innovation gaps with global rivals, advance decarbonization while safeguarding industry competitiveness, and reduce strategic dependencies on critical raw materials, many of which are sourced from Russia or its allies. Additionally, she announced plans to tighten sanctions on Moscow, specifically targeting sectors vital to Russia's war efforts in Ukraine, which has recently surpassed the 1,000-day mark. The European Commission president also reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to the European Green Deal, revealing plans for a "Clean Industrial Deal" within 100 days to balance climate goals with industrial needs. In her concluding remarks, von der Leyen called for unity and collaboration among EU institutions to deliver tangible results for Europeans. She stressed that countering Russia's influence remains central to protecting European values and security, stating, "Our freedoms and sovereignty require massive investments, tough choices, and unwavering unity."