Emma Hickey reports from Brussels
DEFENCE AND MONEY are what it all comes down to as EU leaders convene for a two-day summit in Brussels – the last before Ireland takes over the EU presidency in a couple of weeks.
There are a few crucial differences at this summit – not least the fact that Hungary are at the table in a different form than they have been for the past 16 years.
A talking point in Brussels is former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán’s absence – he was replaced by pro-EU conservative Péter Magyar, an appointment widely regarded to provide relief to senior EU figures.
Orbán was a self-described “thorn in the side” of the EU. Magyar’s appointment has seen Hungary drop its block on Ukraine beginning the process of joining the EU, as well as freeing up EU funds previously kept locked away.
Also in town is Ukrainian president Voldymyr Zelenskyy, who rocked up to the red carpet preceding the European Council meeting with the Council president António Costa and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
Zelenskyy had earlier met with European leaders in Nato’s Brussels headquarters to urge them to step up with purchasing US arms for Ukraine’s use in its fight against Russia.
“We have the tools, and they are strong enough to put Russia on a path where diplomacy becomes the only choice,” Zelenskyy told Kyiv’s backers at a meeting in the headquarters.
“We all see that Putin is now relying on one lasting thing: constant missile attacks, and he has ballistic missiles, so we need anti-ballistic capabilities.”
Countries including Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden have said they are willing to contribute to buying two more packages of US weaponry expected to be worth $1 billion (€872.52 million).
There is a long list of priorities for the summit, and the leaders have the benefit of privacy to hold their discussions, which happen behind closed doors.
What we have been told is the council will be discussing key issues like the multiannual financial framework (MFF), which is the EU’s long term budget to cover 2028 to 2034. It amounts to close to €2 trillion.
One of the uses for this money is a contribution to Europe’s fund for defence, security and space – an amount five times of that allocated by the EU in the last MFF (this time it will be €131 billion).
A chunk (€34 billion) will be allocated for migration management. This includes the strengthening of external European borders and the bolstering of its internal borders, the council said.
Thursday’s discussions were to focus mainly on the war in Ukraine and the economic threat posed by China.
Leaders will grapple with how best to deal with the surge of Chinese exports deemed a threat to European industry.
Last year, China’s exports to the EU sharply exceeded those from the EU to China.
Leaders have differed on whether creating a new tool to allow the EU to impose sector-specific tariffs on China is worthwhile. Some, like France, have pushed heavily for this, while other member states are more cautious, fearing the impact retaliation from China could have on their domestic economies.
Friday morning through to the afternoon will see conversations shift towards the Middle East.
The Taoiseach has made it clear that he intends to keep Gaza and the Middle East on the agenda with his fellow leaders, telling Irish journalists Thursday evening that he feels Europe’s credibility has been damaged as a result of its inaction on war crimes perpetrated by Israel.
Earlier this week, the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said the EU would explore options for restricting trade with Israeli settlements. It followed calls from several member countries – including Ireland.
This summit will lay down the structure for Ireland when it takes on the rotating EU presidency next month. One of these other issues is that of the enlargement of the EU, something Ireland has championed.
Montenegro in the Western Balkans is next set to join the bloc, and it’s expected it will advance along on its accession journey during Ireland’s presidency. In the queue behind it is Ukraine and Moldova, which share a border and an EU bid.
They are at the beginning of their EU accession journey and hope to join the bloc in 2030. Again, they will advance through some of the process while Ireland holds the presidency.