The heads of state and government of the 27 European Union countries are meeting this Thursday and Friday in Brussels for a European Council marked by urgency. The war in Ukraine, economic stagnation, migratory tensions, and growing social unrest within the member states have created a context in which Brussels seeks to project unity, even as internal divisions continue to surface.
The president of the European Council, António Costa, opened the session on Thursday morning, alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasizing that “our shared goal remains a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.” Costa insisted that financial, military, and diplomatic support must be maintained “for as long as necessary,” a position some governments in the East deem insufficient, while others—such as Hungary and Slovakia—see it as excessive given the current internal crises.
There is no doubt that the debate over Ukraine tops the agenda and nearly monopolizes it. The Twenty-Seven will discuss the use of frozen Russian assets to finance the country’s reconstruction and the modalities of European military aid. The Commission seeks to secure a stable financing mechanism for 2026, but several member states fear that their citizens’ patience is wearing thin as the conflict drags on.
On the sidelines of the summit, Zelensky will hold further bilateral meetings with key leaders to accelerate arms deliveries and ensure the flow of funds ahead of a winter expected to be difficult.
Defense, migration, and competitiveness
The Council will also review progress on European defense. Joint ammunition production programs, industrial cooperation projects, and coordination mechanisms against hybrid threats will all be examined. Brussels wants to prove that Europe can sustain its own security without being completely dependent on the United States.
This, however, seems extremely difficult—for two reasons. The first is the lack of capacity within European industries. Sources consulted say the production chain is already saturated for years to come and virtually impossible to expand under the current system, particularly in the aerospace sector. The second is that the United States is pressuring Europe to increase investment in its own arms industry, ensuring Washington remains one of NATO’s and Ukraine’s main suppliers.
At the same time, the migration crisis returns to the heart of the debate. European leaders will attempt to accelerate the implementation of the new migration pact, strengthen external borders, and increase the return of those without the right to asylum. Italy and Greece are calling for greater financial solidarity, while northern countries demand tangible results in controlling irregular routes.
Meanwhile, the EU seeks to maintain its competitiveness against the United States and China amid simultaneous green and digital transitions—an increasingly delicate balance, all experts warn. Leaders will discuss measures to simplify regulations, improve access to financing, and boost industrial innovation. However, tensions between climate goals and the defense of traditional sectors—such as the automotive and energy industries—continue to divide member states. Even the car industry has become ammunition in disputes between EU countries.
In the words of António Costa, “Europe needs to show that it can act united and effectively.” Yet the atmosphere in Brussels reveals a mix of caution and fatigue. Consensus on Ukraine is no longer automatic, migration policy continues to generate friction, and social pressure in several countries makes any ambitious economic or climate commitment a hard sell.
At the close of the summit, a joint declaration is expected to reaffirm support for Kyiv, the will to strengthen European defense, and the need to ease the social burden on European citizens. But, as happens increasingly often in Brussels, success will be measured less by words than by the ability to translate them into action. Few outside institutional circles still believe Brussels’ narrative.
