On 14 September 2022, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, delivered her third State of the European Union address before the Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, taking stock of the achievements of the past year and presenting policy priorities for the year ahead, next to her guest of honour, Olena Zelenska, Spouse of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

In the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Ursula von der Leyen expressed her vision for the European Union to stay the course, prepare for the future, stand strong together and defend democracy.

From this perspective, Ursula von der Leyen namely outlined the proposal for an emergency intervention to address high energy prices, proposed making 2023 the European Year of Skills and advocated the European Green Deal, NextGenerationEU, as well as a deep and comprehensive reform of the electricity, and, in particular, hydrogen which could be a game-changer for Europe.

In this regard, Ursula von der Leyen also announced the creation of a new European Hydrogen Bank and, inter alia, the rehabilitation of damaged Ukrainian schools.