What’s on the agenda for today’s summit?
Lisa O’Carroll
The EU summit centres on a packed agenda including Ukraine, the Middle East, approval of Bosnia and Herzegovina as an EU accession candidate and agriculture.
It will start with a working lunch with the UN secretary general Antonío Guterres who yesterday urged Israel to give “immediate and unfettered” access to Gaza to avert a looming famine.
On Ukraine leaders will discuss how to boost military support with fresh proposals to use the interest generated by €190bn held in frozen Russian assets.
A formal proposal presented by the European Commission yesterday will be discussed but no decision will be taken today. One diplomat said it was a “deeply complex proposal” which has all sorts of implications including potential legal action by the Kremlin which yesterday branded the move a breach of international law.
It also requires unanimity and Hungary is unlikely to support the use of the money on arms.
Also on the agenda is the question of long term defence funding with suggestions that the EU needs at least €100bn to be able to build capacity to fend off a potential attack by Russia.
Defence bonds, on which the leaders’ room is divided, is one option, as is raising money on the capital markets or, the least popular option is raising money from taxes.
Key events
Ahead of today’s summit, Ukrainian officials have reiterated their call for more assistance.
Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, pointed to a “major missile attack overnight in Kyiv,” writing: “Thankfully, our air defense intercepted around 30 missiles, saving lives. Swift action needed to provide Ukraine with crucial defense systems and support.”
A major missile attack overnight in Kyiv and surrounding areas. 13 injured, including 1 child. Thankfully, our air defense intercepted around 30 missiles, saving lives. Swift action needed to provide Ukraine with crucial defense systems and support. #StandWithUkraine… pic.twitter.com/xZEht6GPob
— Olga Stefanishyna (@StefanishynaO) March 21, 2024
Varadkar says he is not looking for EU job
Lisa O’Carroll
The Irish prime minister, Leo Varadkar, has just revealed he is not looking for a new job in the EU.
Asked by the Guardian if he was looking for a new job in Brussels he expressed surprise and laughed. “No, definitely not”.
He was speaking to reporters on arriving at the European People Party’s pre-summit gathering at the Sofitel Hotel in Brussels.
Varadkar announced he was stepping down as leader of Fine Gael and as taoiseach yesterday, taking his party and the country by surprise.
Speculation immediately turned to the prospect of a new job for him in the senior ranks at the EU.
Is Leo Varadkar looking for a new job in Europe?
“No definitely not”
Listen to his answer and laughter here from outside Sofitel in Brusselshttps://t.co/5w8XUASyI3— Lisa O’Carroll (@lisaocarroll) March 21, 2024
What’s on the agenda for today’s summit?
Lisa O’Carroll
The EU summit centres on a packed agenda including Ukraine, the Middle East, approval of Bosnia and Herzegovina as an EU accession candidate and agriculture.
It will start with a working lunch with the UN secretary general Antonío Guterres who yesterday urged Israel to give “immediate and unfettered” access to Gaza to avert a looming famine.
On Ukraine leaders will discuss how to boost military support with fresh proposals to use the interest generated by €190bn held in frozen Russian assets.
A formal proposal presented by the European Commission yesterday will be discussed but no decision will be taken today. One diplomat said it was a “deeply complex proposal” which has all sorts of implications including potential legal action by the Kremlin which yesterday branded the move a breach of international law.
It also requires unanimity and Hungary is unlikely to support the use of the money on arms.
Also on the agenda is the question of long term defence funding with suggestions that the EU needs at least €100bn to be able to build capacity to fend off a potential attack by Russia.
Defence bonds, on which the leaders’ room is divided, is one option, as is raising money on the capital markets or, the least popular option is raising money from taxes.
Welcome to the blog
Good morning and welcome to a special edition of the Europe blog, coming to you from the European Council in Brussels.
Leaders will soon be arriving for the launch of the two-day summit. The summit comes at a key moment for the bloc, as the EU prepares for elections in June and as concerns are growing about the future of aid for Ukraine.
Stay tuned and send tips to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.
