European Union

EU Commission approves framework for state aid against Middle East crisis. Von der Leyen: 'War costs us 500 million a day'

The Commission President, in her speech to the European Parliament, emphasised the need to reduce energy dependency and accelerate electrification

29 April 2026

La presidente della Commissione europea Ursula von der Leyen interviene durante un dibattito sul tema «La strategia dell’UE in risposta alla crisi in corso in Medio Oriente, le sue implicazioni sui prezzi dell’energia e la disponibilità di fertilizzanti» al Parlamento europeo a Strasburgo, in Francia, il 29 aprile 2026. L’attuale sessione plenaria si svolge dal 27 al 30 aprile 2026. EPA/RONALD WITTEK EPA

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Five hundred million euros per day. That is the cost of the war in the Middle East for Europe. As emphasised by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in her speech to the plenary session of the Eurochamber, "in just sixty days of conflict, our expenditure on imported fossil fuels has increased by more than 27 billion euro". The emergency, the president warned, could have consequences that will be felt 'for months or even years'.

Commission approves framework for state aid against crisis

Meanwhile, the European Commission approved a temporary framework for state aid to support sectors affected by the crisis in the Middle East (Metsaf) that allows Member States to grant aid to the most disadvantaged European companies, while preserving a level playing field in the single market. "This is a temporary and targeted measure, because the rules will be in force until the end of this year. Within that period, Member States will be able to modulate the temporary nature of the support according to the needs they identify," explained European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera.

The measures identify agriculture, fishing, transportation and energy-intensive industries as the sectors directly and most affected. "Member States will be able to compensate up to 70 per cent of the additional costs incurred by beneficiaries as a result of the increase in fuel and fertiliser prices due to the crisis, compared to the levels before 28 February," Ribera said, adding that a simplified flat-rate compensation option of up to EUR 50,000 per beneficiary has also been introduced, aimed especially at small businesses.

The priority is to reopen Hormuz

In her speech to the Eurochamber, the Commission leader also expressed Europe's position on the war in the Persian Gulf: "We all want the ceasefires in Iran and Lebanon to hold, with the ultimate goal of restoring peace and stability through diplomatic means". The goal is to achieve a lasting end to hostilities, so as to re-establish "full and permanent freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz without tolls".

Von der Leyen added that a peace agreement would necessarily have to address the issue of Iran's nuclear programme, and emphasised the importance of cooperation between the EU and partners such as Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

Reducing European energy dependence

To deal with this new context, with the second energy crisis in four years, the watchword according to the Commission is 'independence'. "The way forward is obvious: we must reduce our over-dependence on imported fossil fuels and boost our domestic production of clean and affordable energy," von der Leyen told Strasbourg. The strategy to get rid of energy dependency also includes greater cooperation between EU members, so as to avoid internal conflicts between different interests.

The Commission's recipe: renewables, nuclear and electrification

In her speech to the European Parliament, von der Leyen cited Sweden as a virtuous example of an effective energy mix, with a combination of renewable energy and nuclear power covering the majority of national needs. In addition, she emphasised the importance of developing support tools for households and businesses that are mirrored to help the most vulnerable. Finally, the Commission aims to accelerate the process of electrification of the Union, with a new plan coming before the summer.

First 45 billion for Ukraine coming

There was also confirmation of support for Ukraine, with the confirmation of the EUR 90 billion European loan to Kiev. "We have kept our promise," said von der Leyen, "within this quarter we will disburse the first tranche of EUR 45 billion for 2026. One third of these resources are earmarked for budgetary needs, while the remaining two thirds will go directly to defence. "The first defence package will cover drones, produced by Ukraine and destined for Ukraine, worth around EUR 6 billion. Our message is clear: we will continue to support the brave Ukrainian people and their armed forces," she said.