Based on a scathing critique penned by John Leake, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stands accused of being "completely dissociated from reality." Her November 25, 2025, speech to the EU Parliament in Strasbourg is lambasted as a pinnacle of nonsensical policymaking, reminiscent of the hubris that drove Napoleon and Hitler to disastrous invasions of Russia. Leake draws a thread through centuries of European missteps toward Russia, painting von der Leyen as the latest in a line of leaders blinded by pride, unaccountability, and ulterior motives. But is this hyperbole, or a hard-hitting truth? In this post, I'll outline Leake's key arguments and defend them with historical context, recent evidence, and geopolitical realities. Far from detached ranting, Leake's piece exposes a pattern of self-destructive European leadership that's as relevant today as it was in 1812.
Outlining the Critique: Von der Leyen's Speech as a Monument to Obstinacy
Leake zeros in on von der Leyen's address, calling it "the most nonsensical address ever uttered in the history of Europe." In it, she advocated for sustained pressure on Russia, accelerated financial aid to Ukraine, including a €140 billion loan backed by frozen Russian assets, and dismissed Moscow's peace intentions as insincere. She hailed recent Geneva talks as a "starting point" for peace but insisted on strong security guarantees for Ukraine to deter further aggression, all while framing Russia as intent on "permanently redrawing maps." Leake sees this as obstinate warmongering, funnelling EU taxpayer money to what he calls a "corrupt, larcenist, money-laundering dictatorship in Kiev."
Defending this: Von der Leyen's rhetoric ignores battlefield realities. By late 2025, Ukraine's forces are depleted, with reports of massive casualties and territorial losses. Her push to "keep the pressure on Russia" echoes failed strategies, prolonging a conflict that's bled Europe dry, economically via energy crises and politically through migration and inflation woes. Critics like Leake argue this isn't strategy; it's denial. As Politico noted, her acceleration of the asset-backed loan is a desperate jolt to a "long-stalled" plan, risking legal battles and escalation. If peace is the goal, why dismiss Moscow's signals outright? This dissociation fuels Leake's charge: She's trapped in a narrative that prioritises ideology over pragmatism.
Historical Parallels: From Napoleon to Hitler, Europe's Russia Blind Spot
Leake masterfully weaves historical threads to underscore von der Leyen's folly. He likens her to Napoleon, who ignored advisors like Caulaincourt and Josephine, marching into Russia only to be decimated by Kutuzov's retreat and winter's wrath. Similarly, Hitler's Operation Barbarossa dismissed General Halder's warnings, repeating the French catastrophe. Leake extends this to earlier blunders: The Crimean War's preference for Ottoman rule over Czar Nicholas I, and the Brusilov Offensive in 1916, which mauled Austro-German forces in Galicia (modern western Ukraine), a history EU leaders seem oblivious to.
Defending the parallels: These aren't loose analogies; they're patterns of European arrogance toward Russia. Napoleon's invasion stemmed from pride and miscalculation, overextending supply lines, just as EU sanctions have boomeranged, spiking energy costs and inflation. Hitler's hubris ignored Russia's vastness and resilience, much like von der Leyen's underestimation of Moscow's resolve. The Brusilov reference is apt: It highlights Ukraine's historical role as a bloody frontier, yet von der Leyen pushes for escalation without acknowledging past quagmires. As Leake quips on the Schleswig-Holstein wars, Europeans often fight without grasping the stakes. Von der Leyen's speech, insisting Russia lacks "real intent" for peace, mirrors this ignorance, ignoring Putin's signals amid Trump-era talks. History defends Leake: Ignoring Russia's defensive posture has always ended in European ruin.
Unaccountability: Von der Leyen's Teflon Shield
A core pillar of Leake's argument is von der Leyen's immunity from scrutiny. He cites her undisclosed text messages with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during the pandemic — "Pfizergate" — where she negotiated massive vaccine deals in secret. Despite EU court rulings mandating disclosure, she resists. Leake also blasts her likening free speech to an "infectious disease," with censorship as the "vaccine" — a chilling stance for a democratic leader.
Defending this: The evidence is damning. The European Court of Justice in May 2025 overturned the Commission's refusal to release the texts, calling it wrongful. Yet, as of November 2025, transparency lags, fuelling corruption suspicions amid Europe's vaccine rollout fiasco. On free speech, reports confirm her metaphor: In a June 2025 context, she framed unregulated expression as viral, justifying controls, a nod to EU's digital censorship push. This unaccountability enables ruinous policies, like Ukraine aid without oversight. Leake's right: Without consequences, leaders like her perpetuate errors, eroding trust. Her "House of Hanover" jab? A witty dig at her lineage's historical ineptitude, underscoring inherited folly.
The Baiting of Russia: Ulterior Motives Behind the War
Leake's boldest claim: Russia was "deliberately and systematically baited" into invading Ukraine. Purposes? Distract from COVID failures, destroy Nord Stream for U.S. LNG gains, enrich the military-industrial complex, weaken Russia, and seize its assets for Western debt relief.
Defending the thesis: This isn't conspiracy; it's geopolitics. NATO's eastward expansion and 2014 Maidan coup baited Moscow, per realists like John Mearsheimer. COVID distraction? Leaders faced backlash over lockdowns and vaccines, war unified narratives. Nord Stream sabotage: Investigations point to Western involvement, boosting U.S. LNG exports to Europe. MIC enrichment: Billions in arms flow to Ukraine, benefiting Raytheon et al. Russia's destruction? Globalists resent its sovereignty. Asset seizure: Von der Leyen's €140B loan plan uses frozen Russian funds, collateral for insolvent West. Leake's fear of exposure if Zelensky falls? Plausible, given corruption scandals in Kiev and EU aid mismanagement.
Trump's Role and Europe's Survival Instinct
Leake urges Trump to negotiate peace unilaterally, reminding Germany of U.S. troops stationed there to prevent folly. He suspects EU leaders cling to war for political survival, fearing corruption revelations.
Defending: Trump's deal-making could end the stalemate, as von der Leyen admits a "starting point" from U.S.-led talks. With 35,000 U.S. troops in Germany, leverage exists. Leaders like Starmer, Macron, and Merz face domestic unrest, war diverts from economic woes. If peace reveals aid graft, heads roll.
In sum, Leake's critique isn't dissociation, it's diagnosis. Von der Leyen's policies echo historical suicides, driven by unaccountability and hidden agendas. Europe must wake up or risk another frozen march home. As Leake channels Palmerston: In the Russia quagmire, few understand, and fewer learn.
https://www.thefocalpoints.com/p/ursula-von-der-leyen-is-completely