Von der Leyen calls Putin a 'predator'

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "predator."

According to Report, the politician made the statement during a joint press conference with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa as part of her visit to Riga.

Von der Leyen said that Russia poses significant risks to Europe, emphasizing the importance of security along the eastern borders.

"Russia"s brutal war against Ukraine has been ongoing for four years. Putin is a predator; his representatives have targeted our societies for years with hybrid attacks and cyberattacks, and the use of migrants as a weapon is another example," she said.

Von der Leyen stressed that the entire European Union must understand the importance of readiness and responding to growing risks and threats. According to her, this also includes the importance of financial flexibility for EU member states to invest in their own defense.