Ursula von der Leyen faces scrutiny for alleged ties to pro-Russian networks during her tenure as Germany’s Defense Minister.
Ursula von der Leyen, the current President of the European Commission, once served as Germany’s Minister of Defense (2013-2019). During this period, she reportedly supported individuals accused of fostering pro-Russian ties within NATO. Historian Professor Sławomir Cenckiewicz highlighted her involvement, stating that von der Leyen endorsed a letter defending Krzysztof Dusza, a controversial figure linked to NATO’s CEK initiative.
Allegations of Pro-Russian Activities in SKW
Cenckiewicz and former intelligence officer Mariusz Kozłowski accused Dusza and his associates of leveraging Slovakian connections to protect their interests. These networks allegedly risked undermining NATO’s credibility. Von der Leyen’s name surfaced in this context due to her purported backing of Dusza amidst escalating tensions over these accusations.
Critics argue that narratives supporting Slovakian leaders Robert Fico and Viktor Orbán reveal contradictions in European policies. Cenckiewicz claims these alignments reflect a larger pattern of strategic amnesia during periods of geopolitical resets.