Brussels: European Union leaders met in Brussels today to address several pressing international issues, including the war in Ukraine, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, rising migration, and internal EU governance reforms. The summit brought together the heads of state from the 27 EU member countries.
According to The Guardian and other EU correspondents, the summit’s key agenda focused on continued military and economic support for Ukraine amid ongoing Russian aggression. Discussions centered around maintaining sanctions against Moscow and further tightening trade restrictions to curb its war efforts.
On the Middle East, tensions rose following remarks from Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who publicly stated that Israel was engaging in “genocide” in Gaza. He called for the suspension of EU–Israel cooperation agreements if Israel continues its military operations. The statement drew sharp responses from several EU members, with Germany and Austria calling for a more balanced diplomatic stance.
Migration was another critical theme, particularly with increased arrivals across the Mediterranean. Italy and Greece pressed for more equitable burden-sharing among member states. A revised migration pact is under negotiation, but progress remains slow due to political disagreements.
Internally, EU leaders also discussed the enlargement of the bloc to potentially include Ukraine, Moldova, and Western Balkan countries, though no formal decision was made. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for internal reforms before expanding the Union further.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán remained a controversial presence, as some leaders pushed for changes in the EU’s rule-of-law mechanisms to curb illiberal governance within the bloc.
The summit is expected to issue a joint communiqué by the end of the day summarizing the agreed policy directions.
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