Von der Leyen on Ceuta dominated the European migration debate on Thursday after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the situation at the Spanish enclave, calling the scenes “unacceptable” and vowing that the EU will not tolerate irregular entries that violate its rules.

“We will not allow anyone to enter the European Union without respecting our rules,” von der Leyen said in a post on X, responding to the escalating migration crisis in Ceuta.

“The images coming from Ceuta are unacceptable. We cannot allow anyone to enter our Union without respecting our rules. Dangerous crossings must stop immediately. Smuggling networks must be dismantled. And returns must be carried out swiftly, in line with our rules,” she wrote.

Von der Leyen also announced that she has tasked two European Commissioners with helping coordinate the EU’s response.

According to the Commission president, Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Magnus Brunner is already working closely with the Spanish authorities and stands ready to travel to the affected areas. He will also coordinate additional operational support for Spain, including assistance from Frontex, the EU’s border and coast guard agency.

Meanwhile, Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica is in contact with her Moroccan counterpart. Von der Leyen expressed confidence that the European Commission’s close cooperation with Morocco would help deliver concrete results in addressing the migration situation.

See her post below:

The images coming from Ceuta are unacceptable.

We cannot allow anyone to come to our Union without abiding by our rules.

Dangerous crossings must stop immediately. Smuggling networks must be dismantled. And returns must be swift, as our rules allow.

I tasked two Commissioners…

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 31, 2026