On October 29, 2025, the BMW Center for German and European Studies was pleased to have President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola speak before an audience of Georgetown University students. In the conversation led by CGES Director Abe Newman, Mestola discussed the importance of civic duty and voting for young people, the critical importance of peace in Ukraine for Europe’s future, and the transatlantic economic relationship.
Students asked her about defense spending, countering Russian propaganda, and developing new technologies in international trade.
The event began with remarks from Joel Hellman, Dean of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. In his remarks, Hellman highlighted how the values of economic cooperation and peace-building in the transatlantic alliance have animated the mission of the School of Foreign Service for over a century. He praised Metsola’s “stalwart support for Ukraine” and emphasized how pleased Georgetown was to host her in this critical time in international relations.
Metsola then spoke about Georgetown’s Jesuit values and its students’ commitment to public service, a commitment she also developed in her university years.
“I learned that none of us are passive spectators, and you are never too few, or too alone, to make a real difference,” she said. “If you take away one thing from my remarks today, let it be this: you are democracy’s next generation.”
The test of our political generation is establishing peace in Ukraine, she continued. Metsola believes that ensuring real peace, not subjugation, requires strong leadership on both sides of the Atlantic.
“Ukraine became Europe’s line in the sand,” she said. “And our joint drive for peace in Ukraine is the litmus test for our enduring strength.”
She then called for honesty about the rise of far-right groups and called on everyone, and especially young people, to exercise their right to vote to combat that challenge.
“The real threat is if the center cannot deliver real results. We have to take the bull by the horns, even if it is very difficult. We can never underestimate how fragile this all is,” Metsola said.
She framed transatlantic economic cooperation as a win-win for Europe and the United States, highlighting its benefits for collaboration on artificial intelligence as well as social safety nets.
“Europe is open for business. Europe can be stronger as an economy when it benefits everyone, and it can benefit everyone,” Metsola said.
Metsola finished her remarks with a strong optimism for the future of the transatlantic relationship.
“I’ve tried in the last few minutes to be quite frank about the challenges ahead. But I believe that as close allies we can and we will overcome them,” she said. “Democracy, with all its flaws and all its shortcomings, is worth standing up for. Our way is the guiding force that this world needs.”
Dr. Newman then asked Metsola about the foundation for an economic trade partnership between Europe and the United States, given new vulnerabilities seen in the global economy. In her response, Metsola highlighted Europe’s new outlook on trade and steps taken to find alternatives to Russian gas.
“The crisis management in our trade relationships with our allies has led us Europeans to get out of our comfort zone. For many years, we thought the US would solve all our problems. We let defense spending slide. Now, we have a new way of dealing with problems we were ignoring,” she said.
Audience questions touched on increases in defense spending, misinformation, and AI development.
“Don’t ignore [misinformation], especially when it comes to an anti-Ukrainian narrative. Believe in yourself. Counter the narrative, and you will get through,” Metsola said to a third-year student from Ukraine.
She then talked about the challenges of completely different meanings of peace in European politics, especially in countries far from the conflict zone.
“I was mostly surprised that when I stood up and said Russia should not have invaded Ukraine, the government of my country called me a warmongerer… I knew I had to fight back,” Metsola said. “Don’t let go of the moral clarity of what you think of the word peace. Peace through strength acts as a deterrent.”
Metsola concluded her conversation at Georgetown University with a strong optimistic outlook on the unity and future of the European Union.
“We’re on the same page, so don’t give up on us just yet.”
