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News & Current Events Apr 21, 2026 at 4:15 PM

EU must expand to counter Russian, Turkish, Chinese influence, von der Leyen says

Posted by FantasticQuartet

EU must expand to counter Russian, Turkish, Chinese influence, von der Leyen says
ankahaber.net
EU must expand to counter Russian, Turkish, Chinese influence, von der Leyen says
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday the European Union must accelerate its enlargement to prevent parts of the continent from falling under the influence of Russia, Türkiye or China, framing expansion as a geopolitical necessity rather than a purely political process.
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Substantial_Milk8170 Apr 21, 2026 +70
Expanding the bloc sounds great on paper, right up until you remember the absolute nightmare of their unanimous veto system. Adding more members just means more opportunities for one rogue state to hold the entire continent hostage.
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wowthatsucked Apr 21, 2026 +10
Hey, look at how well it worked for Poland historically.
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Spiritual-Pumpkin473 Apr 22, 2026 +8
Very few topics require unanimity. QMV is used for most subjects.
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kvikklunsjrevolver Apr 21, 2026
I think it would be better to create a new union, with none of the slog of the EU.
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ken_the_boxer Apr 21, 2026 +100
First, the unanimity concept must go. It's nice to be big, but it does not mean anything if you can´t decide on anything.
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madogvelkor Apr 21, 2026 +29
The US had to ditch the Articles of Confederation to become a functional nation.
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Coffee_And_Bikes Apr 22, 2026 +19
And now the “functional” part is gone.
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ken_the_boxer Apr 22, 2026 +13
Well they ditched a few more things now.
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Etherius Apr 22, 2026 +6
The partisanship really needs to stop. Parties need to stop blocking f****** everything in Congress just because they don’t like it. You’re supposed to work to mitigate the “worst” parts of legislation you don’t like. Not block it entirely so the ruling party discusses changing the rules.
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xavia91 Apr 22, 2026 +1
Honestly, the worst aspect is when they block certain things, not necessarily because they dislike the content itself, but because they're consciously choosing not to support their opponents. We experienced that situation quite frequently during the previous legislative period. While the CDU often opposed various measures and voiced concerns, they frequently implemented policies similar to those of the previous governing party once in power.
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Etherius Apr 23, 2026 +1
I think the Bundestag is going to have problems if they can’t get anything in the way of immigration done by the next round of elections. AfD isn’t going away and the only way to deal with them is to address what they represent head-on
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xavia91 Apr 23, 2026 +1
They already have a massive problem because forming a majority becomes more and more difficult. Then you get something like last legislation, where 3 parties try (or don't) to work together but get almost no consensus on anything, just for the opposition to shoot down whatever you manage to bring up because they didn't have a 60% majority... It's super fucked and enabling AfD further because the just need to point fingers and call out shit.
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Etherius Apr 23, 2026 +1
I may just be an American but it seems very simple. AfD has 1-2 policy positions that are their main drivers. It would (or should) be extremely easy to suck the wind out of their sails I don’t pretend to be an expert on German politics but it seems pretty simple. The AfD and its voters want immigrants OUT. SPD wants to integrate immigrants These two positions are fundamentally incompatible, and CDU has hitched its wagon to the party (and position) that got absolutely crushed in the election I’m not a betting man, but if I were, I’d take the Polymarket bet that AfD becomes the largest party next election.
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xavia91 Apr 23, 2026 +1
So what? kick out immigrants because 20% want that? 😂
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Etherius Apr 23, 2026 +1
If you think only 20% want that, your head is in the sand. AfD is eating everyone’s lunch and they’ll keep doing so until real change happens. It’s happening all across the west and it’s really only Germany that isn’t paying attention to the windrose. Look at Denmark, Sweden, and France. Look at what the Swiss and Austrians have already been doing. FFS I’m American. I’m not supposed to know more about what’s happening in Europe than you.
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Etherius Apr 23, 2026 +1
Besides. You can’t just “kick out” the immigrants. But your government can certainly do more to appease people who feel like foreigners in their own country. Last time I was in Frankfurt, I couldn’t get an uber driver who spoke German OR English.
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O_PLUTO_O Apr 22, 2026 +1
Because we’re being run by non functional alcoholics
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Spiritual-Pumpkin473 Apr 22, 2026 +2
We don’t want to become a nation though.
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kodachiz Apr 21, 2026 +90
The elephant stays in the room and unaddressed
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SnooPaintings8639 Apr 21, 2026 +15
I guess... two elephants?
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Aromatic_Ideal_2770 Apr 21, 2026 +5
What is the elephant, US?
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Kjts1021 Apr 21, 2026 -3
No Europe themselves ! Have to come out from entitlements and start doing some work!
-3
Whooshless Apr 21, 2026 +11
It's a good thing the French can't read English, or they'd be very upset by what you just said.
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JD3982 Apr 22, 2026
They are not upset, they are French; this is how they always are.
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MammothDon Apr 21, 2026 +19
So is that a 'no' on Turkey's EU application or...?
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Several-Zombies6547 Apr 22, 2026 +7
Their application has been suspended for a decade now. Even if Turkey somehow becomes democratic, I doubt it will ever join the EU.
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GalacticMetric Apr 21, 2026 +18
Turkey can’t be considered a democracy now so it’s not going to happen
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pedrosfm Apr 22, 2026 -5
Of course it’s a no. And it will continuously be a no for decades to come. They are still illegally occupying one third of a sovereign EU country after invading it in 1974. And they are ruled by a permanently in seat autocrat. It’s a Russia like country and admitting it into our midst would deeply corrupt the union, if not bring about its end entirely.
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FML_FTL Apr 21, 2026 +53
Turkish influence? What? Besides, I dont think that EU should alienate Turkey.
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BountyMakesMeCough Apr 21, 2026 +12
The main goal is to make every city’s traffic like that of Istanbul. 
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Several_Ant_9867 Apr 21, 2026 +12
Maybe she doesn't like kebab
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Realistic-Ad-4372 Apr 21, 2026 +2
Kebab is ok, but baklava is the real deal.
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jakreth Apr 21, 2026 +11
They alienated themselves by becoming a defacto dictatorship
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SWAGYTOAST1212 Apr 22, 2026 +26
They seemed pretty happy paying said dictatorship billions of euros to keep refugees in Turkey tho.
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Extreme_Put_913 Apr 22, 2026 +10
Europe seemed pretty happy with Erdogan
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melody_magical Apr 21, 2026 +95
Unfortunately, she should add "American influence" too because my country can't elect a stable man 🙃
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SpendApprehensive972 Apr 21, 2026 -70
The difference is that the US still has democracy, despite how everything may seem right now. And Trump will die sooner, rather than later.
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kodex184 Apr 21, 2026 +65
Trump dying wont change the fact that their whole system is broken.
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slimeyy_02 Apr 21, 2026 -4
By that sense even European countries like Hungary and Solvakia lie in the same circle. No matter how much we deny, America still has a democracy, albeit flawed in relative to other Western nations but still has a better system than the ones mentioned here (well the problem is that it is spiralling downwards with Trump each moment).
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MB4050 Apr 21, 2026 -7
It is less broken than in Turkey, which has been regularly alternating between authoritarian, democratic and military rule with the ever-present threat of theocracy for the past 100 years; Russia which has had two very brief phases of real democracy (Nov 1917-Jan 1918 and Aug 1991-Oct 1993) following the total collapse of the country, which have only lead to renewed autocratic governments; and China, where democracy was in force on paper between December 1947 and May 1948, when the very parliament that had seen its implementation ratified its abolition.
-7
kodex184 Apr 21, 2026 +15
Yeah, but Turkey isn't the #1 gdp in the world with lots of influence on the worlds economy and politics. I hate that Americans always use that defence when you criticise something they do. "But this country also does this thing or this country also has a problem with this thing". If you want to be the number one and have influence on others, then please take accountability without pointing out the flaws of others as a defence.
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MB4050 Apr 21, 2026 -15
? I'm not American LOL 🤣 Just shows your arrogance
-15
kodex184 Apr 21, 2026 +15
Even worse that you're defending their bs with your whataboutism if you're not even from there.
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[deleted] Apr 21, 2026 -11
[deleted]
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kodex184 Apr 21, 2026 +14
Still wont make any difference before changes are made that this kind of president can never again have this much power.
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Im_really_bored_rn Apr 21, 2026 +3
Interesting that Hungary elected Orban for 16 years but all of a sudden, after 1 election where they didn't f*** up it's "welcome back to Europe, it's water under the bridge". Wonder if America will get the same reaction if it tries to fix shit in the midterms then in 2028
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kodex184 Apr 21, 2026 +4
Yes because Hungary has promised to make changes regarding everything that Orban destroyed. The Americans voted this guy into office for the second time with zero changes in between even while Trump showed exactly why he shouldn't have that much power in his first term.
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[deleted] Apr 21, 2026 -8
[deleted]
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kodex184 Apr 21, 2026 +11
Yes. But this is the second time Americans voted this guy into office with zero changes made in between even while the first term showed exactly why there should have been changes.
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Nepridiprav16 Apr 21, 2026 +4
Gen Z is fleeing the GOP vut they aren't necessarily falling in love with the Democrats. It's entirely possible the gen Z Trump voters just won't vote in next presidential election if they don't feel Democrats offer something substantive. About 24% of Gen Z voters say they are unsure or independent. Youth turnout (18–29) already fell from over 52-55% in 2020 to approximately 47% in 2024. Latino youth saw the largest decline in participation, and turnout among young Black men fell to 25%.
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Ultra_Metal Apr 21, 2026 -8
It's not broken.
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kodex184 Apr 21, 2026 +12
Ah okay. Even better reason to not do any business with USA in the future if shit is meant to work like this.
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Ultra_Metal Apr 21, 2026 -2
You know what's interesting? Since the Islamic Republic blocked the strait of Hormuz, more countries are buying oil and gas from the US. Your dreams of boycotting the US will never materialize. Most of the world will keep buying American goods.
-2
RaverSMS Apr 21, 2026 +2
Thats such a braindead stance to take right now. European countries are looking for alternatives for weapons, moving closer to china, exclude the US in trade talks, etc. The US is losing so much right now, and literally for no reason
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Ultra_Metal Apr 22, 2026
Not really
0
RaverSMS Apr 22, 2026 +1
It must be awesome being politically illiterate and joining discussions about politics lmao. Just "not really", insane ragebait or braindead lmao
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Ultra_Metal Apr 22, 2026
I wouldn't know. I'm sure you do.
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Singer-Informal Apr 21, 2026
Taxes and tariffs pay the war not your healtcare, daycare, social security etc etc like other civilized nations. Even Mexico gets free healthcare now. No it is not broken. Keep dreaming
0
Barry_Burton_1974 Apr 21, 2026 +14
The same democracy that elected him twice and is all but guaranteed to elect someone similar later down the line. US power in general is the issue.
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Flimsy-Ad2701 Apr 21, 2026 +4
Someone similar and potentially more dangerous
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Barry_Burton_1974 Apr 21, 2026 +2
Yep. They've proven their military can be used to attack whatever their current president feels like. There needs to be some serious US mitigation put in place by the world. Just imagine how they'll be when resources start getting scarce and other countries have things they need. The de-fanging of the US should be top priority.
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Flimsy-Ad2701 Apr 21, 2026 +3
Someone smarter, is studying Trump right now and learning how they can be a better authoritarian.
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Barry_Burton_1974 Apr 21, 2026 +3
Doesn't need to be an authoritarian. All you need is some kind of resource crisis and their gigantic military becomes a threat to everyone.
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Deadman_Wonderland Apr 21, 2026 +16
Trump is the symptom not the underlying virus causing it. Fact of the matter is, our system is broken. Corruption just gets legalized, laws have no consequences for breaking them, and Americans voted for this and will likely vote for it again in the future.
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kodex184 Apr 21, 2026 +7
Thank you. I'm not here to shit on you guys, but anyone with half a brain can see that this shouldn't be acceptable.
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PapaTahm Apr 21, 2026 +10
**The difference is that US has yet to see Europe as target, not that it has a democracy.** US democracy is a paper democracy, it's only a facet, what dictates US foreign policy has Always been the Private Sectors of OIL and Defense Contracts. It's very foolish to think Trump is the issue here. He is a symptom, he basically due to being a moron, removed the mask. Trump was talking prior to Venezuela to the OIL Barons, We have Steve Witkoff going as a representative of US. To understand this just look into the metric "Countries with most Foreign Invasions in the last 500 years" First is Britain, Second is France Third is United States. Not Russia, Not Spain, Not Portugal. US from 1776 to 2025 has invaded more than 70 countries **majority being concentrated in the last 75 years.** **This isn't a "Republican" problem, this is how the United States has always behaved, it's a inherited problem from Britain and other capitalist empires, where the ruling class see countries as resources and are able to use money as political power to move the entire country on behalf of their interest.** Trump being dead won't change how this country behaves. America antagonizing Europe is because Europe started to put a limitation on the American Private Sector, specifically companies like Meta, Alphabet, Microsoft, Twitter(X), and other private sectors like the Defense Contract sector. Trump is basically doing the dirty work of these companies because he is a moron and a crook.
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kodex184 Apr 21, 2026 +4
Thank you. I was sure that I would get a shit ton of angry people defending this bs so it's very promising that people actually see the real issue here which is not only Trump.
4
Kjts1021 Apr 21, 2026 -1
US has done the dirty work of the world - taking away the dictators , spreading free market and thus helping bring lot of people out of poverty! On the other hand Europe after stealing from rest of the world for 200 years, lecturing others! The biggest bigots are the Europeans.
-1
Dragoncat_3_4 Apr 21, 2026 +2
Trump didn't suddenly materialize out of nowhere into the Oval office (twice!). These wankers elected him. Twice. He is just a symptom.
2
Constant-Tea3148 Apr 21, 2026 +1
And this will be the last time anyone like trump is ever elected again I am sure. If Trump is gone we'll just get another version of the same shit down the line.
1
TopperHrly Apr 21, 2026 +1
Oh well then I guess if the USA *democratically* treats the EU as subservient vassals then it's alright.
1
CanadaMapleMoose Apr 21, 2026 +1
> the US still has democracy Given the state of end game capitalism (not knocking on capitalism in general) but the monopoly game is coming closer to its end and at this point while the US has democracy it's less and less a functioning democracy, EG: Currently Trumps agricultural tariffs are wreaking havoc on the food supply and thing are going to get much much worse there. Illegal tariffs I'll add.... This is happening in all sorts of areas, he's bypassing democracy, it is becoming the norm, just like the Iran war which technically isn't a war even though he's spend what 50 Billion fighting a war there... At this point it doesn't even matter if he was removed from office, the new norm has been set and it will continue in different ways under the next office, the ability of the american public to vote in someone has less and less meaning as this goes on.
1
Great-Ad-4416 Apr 21, 2026 +23
if you want ever want to know if your country is influenced by anyone, just look at the one that is everywhere yet no one seem to, or socially acceptable, to talk about in public. and that's not Russian, Turkish, Chinese, those are actively been promoted to be discuss to death for decades, in an effort to cover someone else.
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Strange_Status_7690 Apr 21, 2026 +6
which countries will enter EU soon? Albania, Montenegro and Iceland? Or Ukraine ?
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PanVidla Apr 22, 2026 +1
Macedonia is probably the closest to joining together with Albania.
1
Strange_Status_7690 Apr 22, 2026 -6
That's not true and there is no such country. Only Montenegro is future one to join.
-6
Ippzz Apr 22, 2026 +3
I'm pro Europe but do we really have to expand to compete can't we just... grow ? Military wise, be self-sufficient energy wise, build a more robust supply chain of what we are currently lacking, etc. Yes let's bring Ukraine in but we don't really need to expand and find ourselves with a 2nd Orban. I stead of expanding I would start thinking about working towards a federation which probably means working with a few European countries first and lay down the ground work.
3
IndividualNo69420 Apr 21, 2026 +32
Sure, let's ostracize Turkey, one of NATO's strongest armies, the sole enforcer of the black sea entrance ban for russian military vessels and point of passage of a significant part of our gas and petrol that we rely on after we choose independence from russian ones.
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Apollonistas Apr 22, 2026 -14
You mean a country that occupies another EU member? That Turkey? Sure, why EU would ever ostracize them.
-14
yorukmacto Apr 23, 2026 +2
They were not occupying anywhere when EU asked for Turkey's military help?
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Apollonistas Apr 24, 2026 -1
I dont understant your question. Turkey is occupying Cyprus since 1974. What is your point?
-1
yorukmacto Apr 24, 2026 +1
If Turkey is not an ally, then why ask for their military help? Isn't that double standards?
1
Apollonistas Apr 24, 2026
Its more of a financial transaction. You offer military help and get paid for it, you dont give it for free. The same goes with the refugee situation. EU pays Turkey to accomodate the refugees from Syria etc etc within Turkey’s borders, but thousands upon thousands are being diverted to EU members instead. But Turkey gets to keep the money for some reason. Double standard is being a Nato member but buying russian weapons and so on.
0
yorukmacto Apr 24, 2026 +1
that sounds like coping, ngl
1
pedrosfm Apr 22, 2026 -6
Exactly this. And the downvoting you’re getting, whether by bots or lesser brained humans, doesn’t change the facts of the geopolitical context.
-6
Apollonistas Apr 22, 2026 +3
I love that everybody just downvotes but doesnt even dare to give me a logical answer. I guess they need functioning brain cells to do it.
3
Constant_Heat_2507 Apr 22, 2026 +2
because it's a complicated matter. it's not like turkey isn't willing to get out of the island as they allowed a referendum to happen (which was rejected by greeks).
2
Apollonistas Apr 22, 2026
Turkey was willing to get out of the island? Is that what you think? The referendum cosolidated a permanent Turkish force in the island not the other way around. The Greeks rejected it, i im proud to have voted against it, because it denied basic human rights. Basicaly it disolved the Republic of Cyprus and paved the way for the island to become a turkish protectorate. Imagine an island of almost 80% Greek Cypriots voting for yes.
0
Constant_Heat_2507 Apr 22, 2026 +2
turkey was in there in the first place because greeks were genociding turks. cyriot turks in the island want a guarantee that won't happen again. also it's not like only turkey was allowed to keep troops in the island in that agreement. it was the same for greece.
2
Apollonistas Apr 23, 2026 +1
Greeks genocided turks? The same turks that occupied Cyprus for 400 years and then sold it to the British? Are those the same people?
1
jakreth Apr 22, 2026 -3
Who is talking about ostracizing anyone, the UE ins't cutting ties but reducing influence, those are very different things.
-3
Kevadu Apr 21, 2026 +21
What did Turkey do?
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rabbit_in_a_bun Apr 21, 2026 -13
Took over half of Cyprus by force and referred to the Balkans and greece as part of its historic heartland.
-13
alien_farmer1 Apr 21, 2026 +22
If turkey wouldn't stop Greeks, there would be a mass genocide on the land. Because of Turkey, today there is a peace ongoing for decades and world know Turkey as "invader" instead of knowing Greeks as "genociders". Let's not fool ourselves. First accept that greeks couldnt behave and they got what they asked for. They are literally the ones who started ethnical cleansing. It is a disgrace that Greeks somehow still can advocate EOKA(equal to NAZIs but Greek) and not facing with their past. With that behavior I think they are even lucky that turkey didnt go pedal to metal and claim all the land.
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Apollonistas Apr 22, 2026 -7
So they did the invading and genociding so other wouldnt do it. Good to know.
-7
alien_farmer1 Apr 22, 2026 +8
Thats the most stupid thing I have heard today. Stopping a genocide is called, genocide? What? So you call killing nazis as genocide too then?
8
Several-Zombies6547 Apr 22, 2026 +1
Equating Greek Cypriots with Nazis is the stupidest thing I've heard today.
1
alien_farmer1 Apr 22, 2026 +5
>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EOKA EOKA was a Greek group, that literally killed people because they were Turkish. There were no other reason. If i dont know wrong, we call this kind of organisations, Nazis. If you call another thing let me know.
5
Apollonistas Apr 22, 2026
Alien farmer please give me a logical answer. I am waiting. I love the smell of bullshit in the evening.
0
alien_farmer1 Apr 22, 2026 +5
Where is bullshit, just google EOKA massacres. What are you trying to hide? Who started terror in the island? Answer me. Im waiting. Dont try to run away.
5
Apollonistas Apr 22, 2026 -1
EOKA fought against the British occupation of the island between 1955-59 and succeded. The Republic of Cyprus was created for both Greek and Turkish Cypriots to live together. The terror started in 1963 when TMT, the turkish terrorist organisation - you know them, started to kill civilians in order to distabilize the country. Did i cover you?
-1
alien_farmer1 Apr 22, 2026 +6
Not so good I guess. TMT has founded because of EOKA, its name is Turkish Resistance Organisation. It all starts after EOKA begins the oppression againts turks in island . The year you refer is also the year of "Bloody Christmas" where EOKA massacred civillians and caused thousands of people to leave their homes. You really try to advocate child killers? An oppressive group just because of the ethnicity? Thats racism and we call this nazis. You are literally trying to whitewashing a nazi group.
6
Apollonistas Apr 22, 2026
I also forgot to mention that many Greek Cypriots fought with the British army against the nazis in europe and north africa. Fun fact: Former Cypriot president Glavkos Kliridis was a RAF pilot that was shot down during a raid in europe and was held captive by the nazis. He was an EOKA vivid supporter and founder of the DISY party.
0
Apollonistas Apr 22, 2026 -1
Wow you are so obsessed about the nazis i see. Well the Greek fought the nazis in ww2 and endured nazi occupation. What did turkey did about their former (nazi) allies?
-1
KingAso88 Apr 21, 2026 +4
She’s talking to trump.
4
OctoMatter Apr 21, 2026 +6
Interesting, given that turkey probably still gets financial support as a membership candidate
6
Icy-Scarcity Apr 21, 2026 +8
I am more concerned about US and Isreal influence at this point.
8
kobemustard Apr 21, 2026 +6
Expand where? Get UK back in maybe Canada? Australia?
6
CanadaMapleMoose Apr 21, 2026 +8
As a Canadian I'd rather see something like [CANZUK](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CANZUK) than to join the EU, but a coalition like CANZUK would have the same results this person is asking for just less power for the EU, it just makes more sense from a Canadian perspective I think.
8
suvlub Apr 21, 2026 +8
Based on her stated reason (to compete with Russia, Turkey and China for influence), probably the rest of Balkan and possibly the Caucasus
8
FlaviusAurelian Apr 21, 2026 -1
Like all good Empires before us in Europe: Africa.
-1
manfr57 Apr 21, 2026 +5
Je ne pense pas qu'on devrait s'élargir plus à 27 on a déjà du mal à gérer et après je trouve que ça devient n'importe quoi
5
BonkDoggo2 Apr 21, 2026 +1
I'm sorry, what do you mean Turkish influence? Like, I know Turkey has been doing its own thing, doing whatever they want and even invading Cyprus, but also, they're still a NATO ally. Why would you alienate them.
1
Impossible_Suit_9100 Apr 24, 2026 +1
but papa US said so!
1
magdogg_sweden Apr 21, 2026 +2
Turkish?
2
imaginary_num6er Apr 21, 2026 +1
Should just list all non-EU countries as well
1
OverSoft Apr 21, 2026
No. We don’t. We’re divided enough as is. We have more inhabitants than the US, we’re big enough.
0
AlisaofallTimes Apr 22, 2026 +1
This is great! Finally we start opposing Turkey!
1
Wise_Rip_1982 Apr 22, 2026 +1
No reason not to add Canada and bring back uk lol. Yea they have a few crazy trumpers but mostly align with western European values.
1
Several_Ant_9867 Apr 21, 2026 -2
What about American influence?
-2
standardargument Apr 21, 2026
Turkey, has influence ? News to me !
0
isthereadrwho Apr 21, 2026
That makes no sense. The only places you can expand are areas that already mostly aligned with those countries. You just got rid of Hungary problem. You want more of that. Being in Europe has to mean more than just taking a paycheck, wanting EU money should not be enough to be part of the EU, IMHO
0
CommercialComputer15 Apr 21, 2026
Does she mean expand EU influence and control over member states?
0
Appropriate_Swim9528 Apr 22, 2026
And the Americans. Do not neglect the most immediate threat of all.
0
BahutF1 Apr 21, 2026 -1
Where USA, Ursula? Yeah..
-1
Dexterus Apr 21, 2026 -7
Wow, she went full nutso? Yeah, this ain't gonna convince people to drop the veto, lol. Trumpist diplomacy is not the way...
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