Summary of the day
Heads of state and government from the EU’s 27 member states met for a second day in Brussels. Talks focused on Ukraine and the economy.
Multiple leaders spoke out on the need to keep prioritising assistance to Ukraine, despite geopolitical turbulence elsewhere. “We are determined to repeat and to recall that our support for Ukraine is steadfast for as long as it takes,” said the European Council president, Charles Michel.
In their summit conclusions, the leaders said the bloc “will continue to provide strong financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes.”
On the thorny issue of Russia’s frozen assets, the leaders said “decisive progress is needed” and they called on the European Commission to “accelerate work with a view to submitting proposals” on how revenues held by private entities stemming directly from Russia’s immobilised assets could be channelled to support Ukraine.
In a summit session, leaders said: “Our economies have shown remarkable resilience in the face of numerous economic shocks and continue to grow, albeit with reduced momentum,” noting that “inflation remains a key concern.”
Slovakia’s Robert Fico said Ukraine was among the most corrupt countries in the world and funding for Kyiv was conditional on guarantees that European money will not be embezzled. He also asked for part of funding for Ukraine to help Slovakia.
Hungary’s Viktor Orbán said he rejected plans for financial assistance to Ukraine in their current form.
Germany’s Olaf Scholz said he had “the impression that we will decide what is necessary for Ukraine’s financial stability” and that “I don’t think that the partly different concrete assessments will affect that”.
Addressing Orbán’s controversial meeting with Vladimir Putin, France’s Emmanuel Macron said EU member states must not undermine their policy on Ukraine and any such meeting must have prior coordination with EU member states.
Estonia’s Kaja Kallas said she was “very concerned” about last night’s discussions on amending the EU’s long-term budget.
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Scholz confident EU will do what's needed for Ukraine's financial stability
The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, expressed confidence that the EU would make the necessary decisions to ensure stability in Ukraine, Reuters reported.
“I have the impression that we will decide what is necessary for Ukraine’s financial stability,” the chancellor said after the summit in Brussels. “And I don’t think that the partly different concrete assessments will affect that.”
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