Amanpour Podcast: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Christiane Amanpour, CNN International
Main Guests:
- Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
- Riyad Mansour, Palestinian Envoy to the UN
- Tom Fletcher, UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs
Episode Overview
This episode, recorded during the United Nations General Assembly, takes a panoramic look at global diplomacy amid crises, focusing on shifts in U.S. stance on Ukraine, the intensifying humanitarian disaster in Gaza, recent steps toward Palestinian state recognition, and the evolving role of the UN. Christiane Amanpour leads exclusive conversations with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Palestinian UN Envoy Riyad Mansour, and UN Relief Chief Tom Fletcher—delving into the shifting rhetoric from U.S. President Donald Trump, Europe’s unity and strategy, the fight for humanitarian principles, and the hopes for Middle East peace.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Trump’s Shifting Stance on Ukraine and European Allies
- Trump’s New Position: From previously pressuring Ukraine to negotiate, Trump now claims Ukraine, with EU/NATO help, can reclaim all its territory.
- Amanpour contextualizes: “President Donald Trump unexpectedly reversed his stance on Russia’s war, saying for the first time, ‘I think Ukraine is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form.’” [00:54]
- Von der Leyen Responds: Emphasizes the EU’s unwavering commitment:
- “The European Union has always been crystal clear that we're going to support Ukraine and what it needs. So far, 175 billion have been invested...” [05:39]
- Rejects Trump’s climate skepticism, reasserts EU’s independence in energy choices and migration policy.
2. European Response to Climate, Migration, and Energy
- Climate Policy: Von der Leyen stands firm against Trump’s accusations that renewables are a “con job."
- “We will stay the course with renewables because, as we think it is good for the climate, it is bringing good jobs at home in Europe...” [03:14]
- Migration:
- “We have by now worked very hard to limit migration in a way that we say we decide who comes to Europe and under what circumstances, not the smugglers and traffickers.” [02:38]
- Energy Independence:
- Highlights EU’s rapid cut in Russian fossil fuel dependence post-invasion (down 80%).
- “Zero coal from Russia, for example, only 3% of oil from Russia...But what I see is that LNG comes through the back door.” [07:15-07:45]
- Announces new EU sanctions on Russian LNG imports.
3. Ukraine Strategy: Endgame, Military Aid, and Sanctions
- Peace vs. Retaking Territory:
- Von der Leyen: “The aim is that Putin comes to the negotiation table and sits down and negotiates because we all want peace.” [06:22]
- Clarifies that Ukraine decides its territorial aims; Europe supports Ukrainian decision-making.
- On Sanctions:
- Defends EU sanctions' dual method—economic measures for foreign policy, tariffs for economic reasons.
- “If we increase the pressure, my prediction is that finally Putin will come to the negotiation table and we can end this war.” [09:01]
- NATO Tensions and Airspace Violations:
- On response options to Russian incursions:
- “If there’s an intrusion in the airspace...the option of shooting down a fighter jet...is on the table." [11:15]
- European resolve: “You don’t touch our territory.” [11:55]
- On response options to Russian incursions:
4. Moldova and Russian Hybrid Warfare
- Moldovan Election Integrity:
- “There is massive interference. Important is to create transparency...very clear that Moldova has our support in being an independent democracy.” [12:45]
- Stresses the threat of “hybrid war”—cyber, migration, disinformation attacks against EU-frontline states.
5. Recognition of Palestine and War in Gaza
- Momentum at the UN:
- Amanpour notes: “Now four of the five permanent members of the Security Council recognize [Palestinian statehood], except for the United States.” [13:37]
- Von der Leyen: “There was absolutely unity on a two-state solution...This is the unifying factor.” [14:24]
- Emphasizes Europe as the largest donor of humanitarian aid (to both PA and Palestinians), and signals potential trade consequences for Israel if peace progress stalls.
- “...We will take away the preferential treatment in trade, not affecting civil society...but look at the reduction of preferential treatment for Israel trade.” [15:43]
- Palestinian Perspective (Riyad Mansour):
- Despite being physically isolated at the UN, “I have the whole world is with me...Palestine is not isolated.” [19:57]
- On state recognition: “Now we have 159 [countries recognizing Palestine]. It’s massive, it’s very important, historic, important.” [21:37]
- On U.S. denial of visas to PA officials: “If they think that this way they will silence us, they're mistaking. I think it backfired.” [22:05]
- Calls for an end to the “genocidal war” in Gaza: “Stopping the war will create so many positive things. Number one, it will save lives.” [23:27]
- Shares details on the Arab/EU-UN-backed Gaza reconstruction plan, ready to begin three weeks after ceasefire. [25:32]
- Forceful rebuttal of Israeli settlement expansion and refusal to negotiate: “The occupiers, at least the Palestinian people, have the right...to decide for themselves what they want.” [27:34]
- Responds to ‘pay to slay’ accusation: “The old arrangement is not in place...there is something else that was negotiated and met the approval...including the U.S. administration.” [31:18]
- Describes ongoing EU/US investment in the PA: “I just signed in the European Union headquarters just an hour ago a loan agreement...400 million euros.” [32:16]
6. The UN, Aid Shortfalls, and Humanitarian Catastrophe
- Trump’s Critique of the UN:
- “All they seem to do is write a really strongly worded letter and then never follow that letter up.” [38:30]
- Amanpour: “His own dramatic aid cuts are making humanitarian crises worse.”
- UN’s Response (Tom Fletcher):
- Importance of U.S. partnership: “We can't save over 100 million lives without that American support.” [43:13]
- Speaks to the causes and effects of severe funding shortages in crises like Sudan and Gaza.
- On Gaza aid impediments:
- “We've been told we can't bring peanut butter in because it's a luxury...So we are on the border every day arguing, seriously, we're fighting to get our convoys through.” [44:59]
- “We think this is a man-made famine...If we could get 500, 600 trucks in a day, we could end this famine. And we're being prevented from doing that at that scale.” [48:46]
- Describes personal horror at Gaza hospitals: “I met doctors who were operating while under sniper attack.” [49:24]
- On hostages: “They want the food to get in; they want a ceasefire because they know that during the ceasefire we were able to get loads of hostages out.” [50:38]
- Media exclusion: “There's a reason you're not being allowed in. It's because Israel doesn't want you to see what's happening on the ground.” [47:13]
7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Ursula von der Leyen:
- “It took a while, but the evidence is overwhelming to show to President Trump that President Putin is the predator, that he does not want peace...” [04:56]
- “If there's an intrusion in the airspace...of course, the option of shooting down a fighter jet that is intruding our airspace is on the table.” [11:15]
- Riyad Mansour:
- “While this insane government led by Netanyahu are doubling down on violation of international law...the international community is doubling down and not allowing them to succeed.” [29:32]
- “You cannot in today’s technology silence anyone. Palestine is present...” [22:05]
- Tom Fletcher:
- “We could save 114 million lives with just 1% of what the world will spend and boast about spending on defense.” [42:25]
- “We think this is a man-made famine...and we're being prevented from [ending it].” [48:46]
- “I'm not asking people to, to choose between a hotel in Brooklyn and a hotel in Darfur. I'm asking them to just give us 1% of what they're spending on guns.” [42:27]
- Amanpour on Gaza Hospital Attacks and Banned Aid:
- “I’m literally trying to process the peanut...and you’re telling me that is being forbidden? It’s on a list of banned substances into Gaza?” [45:55]
Important Timestamps
- Ukraine, Trump’s Shift, Von der Leyen’s First Reaction: [02:20]–[04:15]
- EU Climate & Energy Policy: [02:38]–[03:42]
- Sanctions, Russian Fossil Fuels, and LNG Loopholes: [07:15]–[08:46]
- NATO Airspace Intrusions: [11:10]–[11:43]
- Russian Interference in Moldova: [12:16]–[13:24]
- Palestinian Statehood at the UN: [13:37]–[15:25]; [19:43]–[22:05]
- Gaza War, Humanitarian Aid, Ceasefire: [14:24]; [24:47]; [44:59]–[48:46]
- UN Aid Cuts and Humanitarian Funding Crises: [41:34]–[44:20]
Final Thoughts
This episode presents a behind-the-scenes snapshot of diplomatic wrangling at the UN: the complexity of maintaining European unity under external and transatlantic pressures, the evolving contours of the Ukraine war, steadfast calls for a viable two-state solution, and the human costs of shortfall-ridden humanitarian aid amidst record-breaking conflicts.
From the corridors of European power to the besieged streets of Gaza, and from the UN’s creaking chambers to the closed crossings of Jordan, Amanpour draws out sobering realities, faint hopes, and an urgent call for international resolve.