European Union leaders are convening in Brussels for a critical two-day summit addressing the war in Ukraine, economic pressure from China, and a record €2 trillion budget proposal. The meeting follows the G7 summit in Évian, where leaders secured renewed military support commitments from U.S. President Donald Trump despite ongoing friction over Russian oil waivers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join discussions on reviving peace negotiations and accelerating EU accession. While Kyiv pushes for fast-tracked membership, European officials maintain that strict merit-based criteria remain non-negotiable. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is proposing an alternative associate membership model, though this concept faces significant skepticism from both EU capitals and Ukrainian leadership.
Trade relations with China dominate the economic agenda as Brussels confronts what officials call a new China shock. For the first time, all 27 member states recorded trade deficits with Beijing last year, intensifying fears of de-industrialization. A sharp divide persists among leaders: nations like France and Poland advocate for assertive countermeasures against Chinese subsidies, while Germany and Spain warn against retaliation that could damage business interests.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is pushing for new trade instruments to ensure fair competition and market reciprocity. Leaders will also debate the next seven-year budget, currently set at €2 trillion. Cyprus has proposed a €32.8 billion cut as a compromise, but fiscal hawks demand deeper reductions before the December deadline to avoid political complications from upcoming national elections.