EU Summit underway in Brussels

 

European leaders. Photo: Euronews

 

Leaders of the European Union convened in Brussels today for a one-day summit to address the escalating crisis in the Middle East and a range of geopolitical challenges. Most heads of state arrived directly from the NATO summit in The Hague, where allies pledged to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, aligning with U.S. demands for a stronger collective defense posture.

Al Jazeera reports that Presidents and prime ministers discussed strategies to reinvigorate diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, including renewed engagement with Iran over its nuclear program and coordinated responses to the Gaza conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined via videoconference to update EU leaders on the situation in Eastern Europe, underscoring the bloc’s dual focus on both the Ukraine and Middle East theatres.

 

The agenda also covered potential new sanctions against Russia, measures to avert U.S. tariff threats, and reinforcing EU competitiveness amid shifting global trade dynamics. According to Euronews, international disagreements surfaced over maintaining an oil price cap on Russia and balancing climate commitments with a rising defense budget.

European Council President Charles Michel stressed the importance of unity: “Our strength lies in acting together—whether facing security threats or economic pressures, the EU must speak with one voice.” The summit’s conclusions will guide EU policy through the end of 2025 and shape its role on the world stage.