Former President of [[France]] [[Nicolas Sarkozy]] criticized von der Leyen in an interview with ''Le Journal du Dimanche'' on October 23, 2022. The issues of [[foreign policy]] and arms supplies to Ukraine go beyond the mandate of the European Commission, which is primarily a political organization. "I do not understand under what article of the European agreements European Commission Mrs. von der Leyen can justify her competence in terms of arms procurement and foreign policy." The EU must be careful not to foment military escalation in Ukraine, Sarkozy said. "The only thing that the Europeans are hearing today is the allocation of additional billions for the purchase of weapons. More weapons, more deaths, more war! We are hostages of miscalculations, exaltation, irritation and thoughtless actions. We are balancing on the edge of a volcano," Sarkozy said.<ref>https://www-lejdd-fr.translate.goog/Politique/exclusif-retraites-ukraine-congres-lr-nicolas-sarkozy-sort-de-son-silence-et-livre-ses-analyses-au-jdd-4142556?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US</ref> | Former President of [[France]] [[Nicolas Sarkozy]] criticized von der Leyen in an interview with ''Le Journal du Dimanche'' on October 23, 2022. The issues of [[foreign policy]] and arms supplies to Ukraine go beyond the mandate of the European Commission, which is primarily a political organization. "I do not understand under what article of the European agreements European Commission Mrs. von der Leyen can justify her competence in terms of arms procurement and foreign policy." The EU must be careful not to foment military escalation in Ukraine, Sarkozy said. "The only thing that the Europeans are hearing today is the allocation of additional billions for the purchase of weapons. More weapons, more deaths, more war! We are hostages of miscalculations, exaltation, irritation and thoughtless actions. We are balancing on the edge of a volcano," Sarkozy said.<ref>https://www-lejdd-fr.translate.goog/Politique/exclusif-retraites-ukraine-congres-lr-nicolas-sarkozy-sort-de-son-silence-et-livre-ses-analyses-au-jdd-4142556?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US</ref> |