European Union (EU) member states are convening in Brussels and are projected to extend Ursula von der Leyen’s tenure as president of the European Commission for another term, and to discuss subjects including defence expenditure, Ukraine, and Middle Eastern affairs. According to an early version of a statement, escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon have caused unease amongst the EU leaders. They are proposing to ask both countries to practice constraint.
In the draft statement, the European Council calls out the alarming rate of non-combatant casualties in the Israeli-Gaza conflict sparked by attacks from Hamas militants in Israel’s southern region on October 7th. The council does not hold back in denouncing the relentless extremism of Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank and their urge for Israel to reconsider the expansion of unauthorised settlements. The council members are deliberating on the wording that will commit the EU to enhanced support for the Palestinian Authority, who control the West Bank, to assume control over Gaza, currently run by Hamas. The exact verbiage of the leaders’ statement regarding the Middle East was still under negotiation on Thursday, with numerous alterations and modifications suggested by various EU member states.
Earlier in the day, the EU finalised a long-term security alliance with Ukraine, consolidating various forms of support provided by the bloc to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia – including financial aid, military training, and defence collaboration – under a single agreement. It is mentioned in the draft agreement that the EU will unhesitatingly render all the required financial, political, military, and diplomatic assistance to Ukraine and continue to shelter refugees escaping Russia’s aggression.
Hailing the recent initiation of Ukraine’s EU membership discussions as a “momentous advancement”, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stressed at the beginning of the summit on the necessity for the EU to step up aid to Ukraine to safeguard against Russian aerial strikes.
In a recent response to Russia’s counteractions, he stated that the pressure exerted on Vladimir Putin, Russia’s leader, had proven insufficient. As a result, Ukraine needed to significantly ramp up its energy imports from the EU to withstand Russia’s attempts to disrupt the country’s power grid.
Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, asserted that Ukraine’s conflict with Russia is a fight in defence of European principles. He acknowledged the gravity of the situation saying, “…You are battling for your liberty, your future, your offspring, and the principles we all share.”
The summit also deliberated ways to enhance the EU’s own defence capabilities, including collaborative financing for prospective schemes like a joint air defence shield. As he entered the meeting, EU foreign affairs head, Josep Borrell, noted that Europe has been underfunding its defence sector for years and now needs to compensate for this deficit.