Von der Leyen calls for EU foreign policy to be ‘more realistic and interest-driven’

Ursula von der Leyen asked an audience of EU ambassadors to consider whether or not the bloc’s postwar institutions are still helping them on the world stage. Photograph: Olivier Matthys/EPA

Europe can “no longer be a custodian for the old-world order” and needs “a more realistic and interest-driven foreign policy”, the head of the European Commission has said.

Speaking to an audience of EU ambassadors on Monday, Ursula von der Leyen said the union “will always defend and uphold the rules-based system” but could no longer rely on it to defend European interests and shelter the continent from threats.