Investigating the Secrecy: EU Ombudsman Inquiry into von der Leyen’s Chats with Zelenskyy
The European Commission’s refusal to grant journalists access to sensitive text messages from a secret group chat has raised significant concerns regarding transparency and accountability in the EU. The case has come under the scrutiny of EU Ombudsman Teresa Anjinho, who has launched a formal investigation into the Commission’s decision. This group chat reportedly included critical communications between Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Context of the Investigation
This situation echoes the infamous “Pfizer-Gate” scandal involving von der Leyen, where it was revealed that she had been coordinating with high-ranking politicians in a confidential manner. Among the figures involved in the chat were influential leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The complexity of these discussions points to the potential implications for international relations, which the Commission claims are at risk if the messages are made public.
The Ombudsman’s Role and Potential Impact
The investigative portal Follow the Money made a request for access to the messages from what has been dubbed the “Washington Group” chat. The Commission denied this request, asserting that releasing the information could jeopardize the EU’s international relations. Now, Ombudsman Anjinho is tasked with determining whether this refusal to disclose is legally justifiable. She has requested a meeting with the Commission by mid-July, but the entire investigative process could take several months to conclude.
Previous Controversies Surrounding von der Leyen
This is not von der Leyen’s first encounter with scrutiny regarding her digital communications. In May 2025, the European Court ruled in the “Pfizer-Gate” case that the Commission had unlawfully denied access to messages exchanged between von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. These messages pertained to vital negotiations for multi-billion-dollar vaccine contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the court ruling, the chats have not been published, leading to criticisms that the Commission is engaging in delaying tactics which could tarnish its reputation.
Shortly before the current investigation, Ombudsman Anjinho expressed her concerns about the Commission’s conduct. Specifically, she criticized the decision to automatically delete a Signal message from Macron to von der Leyen regarding the controversial Mercosur trade agreement. The Commission argued that the content was merely a reiteration of public statements, thus not subject to archival requirements. Anjinho disagreed, labeling the deletion as unlawful and urging a fundamental overhaul of the Commission’s internal procedures to ensure that communication with heads of state and government is preserved.
Transparency in Governance
The controversies around von der Leyen’s communications underscore a critical issue in governance: the balance between confidentiality and public accountability. In a democratic society, transparency is vital to maintain trust in public institutions. The ongoing investigation not only seeks to clarify the legalities of the EU’s decision-making processes but also highlights the broader implications of political interactions that remain out of the public eye.
As the EU moves forward, the outcome of this inquiry could have lasting effects on how communications are handled at the highest levels. It signals an increasing demand for accountability, not just for von der Leyen, but for the institutional frameworks that govern European politics. The implications of these investigations can extend far beyond individual cases, potentially reshaping the norms surrounding transparency and governance within the European Union.
