Von der Leyen urges moves to bring Ukraine, Moldova into EU to avoid Russian, Chinese influence

By CIARÁN GILES and LORNE COOKE
Associated Press

MADRID (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says it is imperative for the European Union to address the issue of its enlargement as soon as possible to include countries such as Ukraine and Moldova to guarantee they do not fall under the influence of Russia or China. Speaking in Madrid, von der Leyen said the bloc must look forward four years and imagine what the union should be like to ensure that Europe is whole and that those countries are part of the EU. Von der Leyen spoke alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez after a meeting of EU commissioners and the Spanish government to review Spain’s plans for its six-month presidency of the EU Council, which began Saturday.