UPDATE - European Commission chief announces new package of measures against Israel

UPDATES WITH MORE QUOTES FROM EUROPEAN COMMISSION CHIEF

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday announced that she will propose a package of measures against Israel, by pausing bilateral support, partially suspending the Association Agreement and sanctioning extremist ministers.

"I will propose a package of measures to carve out a way forward. First, the Commission will do all that it can do on its own. We will put our bilateral support to Israel on hold. We will stop all payments in these areas without affecting our work with Israeli civil society," von der Leyen announced during her State of the Union speech.

She also vowed to propose sanctions on the extremist Israeli ministers and violent settlers while also proposing a partial suspension of the Association Agreement on trade-related matters.

"We will set up a Palestine donor group next month, including a dedicated instrument for Gaza reconstruction. This will be an international effort with regional partners, and it will build on the momentum of the New York conference organized by France and Saudi Arabia," von der Leyen added.

She further called for the release of hostages, unrestrained access to all humanitarian aid, and an immediate ceasefire, stressing that in the long term, the only realistic path to peace is a two-state solution with both sides living side by side in security.

"What is happening in Gaza has shaken the conscience of the world. People killed while begging for food, mothers holding lifeless babies. These images are simply catastrophic ... Man-made famine can never be a weapon of war, for the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity, this must stop," von der Leyen said.

- Increased pressure on Russia

The commission chief also called for increased pressure on Russia, reaffirming that they are working on the 19th sanctions package.

"We're particularly looking at phasing out Russian fossil fuels faster. We're looking at the shadow fleet and at third countries," von der Leyen explained.

She also called for a new solution to finance Ukraine's war response and effort "on the basis of the immobilized Russian assets."

"With the cash balances associated to these Russian assets, we can provide Ukraine with the reparations loan. The assets themselves will not be touched, and the risk will have to be carried. Collectively, Ukraine will only pay back the loan once Russia pays for the reparations," von der Leyen noted.

She further reiterated the need for investment in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, using industrial strength to turn Ukrainian ingenuity into battlefield advantage.

"This is why, I can also announce that Europe will front-load 6 billion euros from the air alone and enter into a drone alliance with Ukraine," she added.

Von der Leyen further said that they should support Ukraine through an eastern flank, investing in real-time space surveillance.

"We must heed the call of our Baltic friends and build a drone wall. This is not an abstract ambition. It is the bedrock of credible defense," she added.

She also announced a summit of the international coalition for the return of abducted Ukrainian children.

"Battle lines for the new world order based on power are being drawn right now. So, yes, Europe must fight for its place in the world in which many major powers are either ambivalent or openly hostile to Europe," von der Leyen stressed.

She called for an independent and united Europe, taking care of its own defense and security while taking control over the technologies and energies that will fuel the bloc's own economies.

"A new Europe must emerge, and this must be Europe's independence moment," von der Leyen further urged.