European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen received the International Charlemagne Prize on Thursday, an annual award recognizing contributions to European unity, as the 27-nation bloc grapples with Russia’s war in Ukraine, shifting U.S. trade policies, and mounting security concerns.
King Felipe VI of Spain praised von der Leyen as "the embodiment of the European spirit" during the ceremony in Aachen, Germany. The EU’s most prominent political leader, von der Leyen was reelected last year for a second five-year term at the helm of the bloc’s executive arm, which oversees legislation for 450 million citizens and enforces rules across the world’s largest trading bloc.
Since taking office in 2019, von der Leyen has spearheaded the EU’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy and emerged as a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russia. With political instability in France and Germany at the time, she assumed a more assertive role in shaping the bloc’s policies.
The ceremony, attended by King Felipe and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, underscored growing concerns over European security as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to scale back America’s defense commitments to the continent.
"A clear message is coming out of Washington: Europeans ought to do more to provide for the defense of their own continent," King Felipe warned. "We should not underestimate how consequential this message is."
Merz, whose recent election signaled Germany’s resurgence as a diplomatic heavyweight, referenced U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s contentious remarks at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year. Vance had criticized Europe’s democratic safeguards and condemned German political parties for refusing to collaborate with far-right factions.
"We stand for what we have built over centuries—freedom and democracy—despite setbacks and disasters," Merz asserted. Both he and von der Leyen stressed the need for a unified European response to Trump’s trade policies, with the Commission president declaring, "We will never be a protectionist continent."
First awarded in 1950, the Charlemagne Prize honors efforts to advance European integration. Its namesake, Emperor Charlemagne, unified much of Western Europe in the 8th century and established his imperial seat in Aachen.
In her acceptance speech, von der Leyen outlined key priorities for the EU, including bolstering defense, expanding the bloc, and safeguarding democracy. "An independent Europe is about our freedom," she said. "Personal liberty is possible only when there is collective independence."
The event drew several heads of state and former laureates, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. Merz, the only elected leader to speak, reiterated Germany’s commitment to Ukraine: "We will continue supporting Ukraine with everything we have—militarily, politically, and economically."
Reflecting on Europe’s postwar achievements, he emphasized, "Our generation inherited a continent of peace and prosperity. It is our duty to preserve it."