Summary of the day
Leaders from the EU’s 27 members met for the second day of a major summit.
Yesterday evening, the leaders reached a historic deal to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova.
However, overnight they were unable to reach an agreement on revising the bloc’s budget and on a €50bn package for Ukraine, due to opposition from Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán.
Orbán told Hungarian radio today that he can still stop Ukraine’s accession at numerous points in the long process.
The prime minister hinted he would link extra funding for Ukraine to the unfreezing of more EU funds for Hungary, suspended over rule-of-law concerns.
Estonia’s Kaja Kallas said: “Ukraine will not be left without support.”
The European Council president, Charles Michel, said after the summit that he is “confident” the bloc will “be in a position to fulfil on our promises to support Ukraine with financial means.”
When it comes to the financial package for Ukraine, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen said the commission will use the time until the next summit “to ensure that whatever happens at this next [European Council], we will have an operational solution”.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Orbán must not be allowed to take the EU as “hostage” but that he believed the Hungarian leader would “show responsibility”.
Belgium’s Alexander De Croo said that when it comes to Israel and Gaza, “what should be our objective is that the human suffering should end, on both sides”.
Ireland’s Leo Varadkar said “we now have a clear majority of countries here in the European Union calling for a ceasefire.”
The EU’s 27 leaders “had a strategic debate” on the Middle East and agreed that they will “continue to discuss in the future”.
Michel underscored the EU’s commitment to humanitarian aid and access, as well as a political process.
Updated
The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has underscored continued support for Ukraine.
He also called his proposal to Hungary’s Viktor Orbán to leave the room during a key decision on Ukraine a “friendly Union proposal”, Reuters reported.
Der russische Machthaber wartet darauf, dass Europa schwach wird. Putin setzt darauf, dass die Bereitschaft unserer Länder nachlassen wird, die Ukraine zu unterstützen. Da ist er schief gewickelt. Denn wir werden so lange das Notwendige tun, wie es eben erforderlich ist. #EUCO
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) December 15, 2023
Updated
Malta’s prime minister, Robert Abela, said that during the EU leaders’ summit he reiterated a call for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East.
At #EUCO I reiterated 🇲🇹's call for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. Long-term #peace can only be achieved by a Two-State solution. The atrocities against civilians must stop. The #EU's credibility is at stake if we fail to take a strong position on the conflict. - RA
— Robert Abela (@RobertAbela_MT) December 15, 2023
Updated
The summit conclusions have been published.
We didn't let Hungarians' money be given away, Orbán says after summit
In a post on social media after the dramatic EU leaders’ summit, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán wrote:
“EU summit on Ukraine. We did not allow that Hungarians’ money be given away!”
Updated
French president Emmanuel Macron’s press conference has just finished.
He said he was confident Hungary’s Viktor Orbán would sign up to the Ukraine financial aid package in the new year.
He said Orbán’s decision to veto the European budget, of which the Ukraine facility is part, was an act of self-harm, given it meant he was also blocking money to his country.
“I expect from Viktor Orbán in the coming months … [that] they [the Hungarians] behave like Europeans and that they do not take the political progress as hostage.
“We collectively want to believe that he will, beyond posturing, show himself responsible to the extent that he is respected,” said Macron. Both he and German chancellor Olaf Scholz at his press conference said the Hungarian leader’s decision was “respected” as part of the democratic process.
Scholz revealed he told Orbán during the summit that he could criticise the European Commission report on enlargement but he could not link things that were not linked and block the decision on enlargement because of complaints about the commission withholding funds for Hungary.
“He could have blocked. He did not do it. So he let Europe send a positive political signal to Ukraine, which, in this respect, is, I believe, an important element. And he didn’t decide to veto it,” said Macron.
Updated
Asked about how the bloc plans to get Hungary on board with giving Ukraine extra funding, European Council president Charles Michel quipped: “It’s a very good question!”
He added:
We are determined to use all the possible arguments, and we’ll engage – with respect … and we know that getting a united decision is always challenging, but this is an important decision that we need to make.
And I think the debate that we had yesterday was also an occasion maybe to better understand what could be some tools, what could be some arguments that we will use in the days, in the weeks to come to prepare the next European Council meeting.
Updated
Asked about Hungary’s remaining frozen funding, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said:
The moment there is a delivery of the necessary reforms, there is a disbursement.
Addressing the issue of the proposed €50bn package for Ukraine, which Hungary is now blocking, she said:
We are working very hard, of course, to have a result where there is an agreement of 27 member states.
But I think it is now also necessary to work on potential alternatives, to have an operational solution in case that an agreement by 27 – so, unanimity – is not possible.
Updated
Macron confident Orbán can be persuaded to support funding for Kyiv
The Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, told European leaders he will not block negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU if Kyiv meets the remaining reforms it has been asked to undertake by next March, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, has said.
“If these rules are met, and I asked him the question, he told me that he would not block, if that were the case. If the seven rules are met, then you will need to be able to open discussions,” Macron told reporters.
He said he was also confident that Orbán would be persuaded in the new year to come on board with the financial aid package for Ukraine, as his decision to block it meant he also blocked fresh funds for his own country, his neighbours and for migration border controls.
Updated
Commission to ensure 'operational solution' on budget after Orbán blocked Ukraine aid, von der Leyen says
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said in a press conference after the leaders’ summit that “yesterday’s decisions show that the European Union is living up to its promise”.
In a world that is shaken by multiple crises, it’s an investment in stability, it’s an investment in security of our continent, but of course it’s also an investment in prosperity for our continent, and it’s a big investment in democracies that stand tall and united.
Speaking about the proposed revision of the EU budget, von der Leyen noted that the current long-term budget, which runs from 2021 until 2027, was designed before the current crises facing Europe.
The first priority is Ukraine, followed by migration, boosting competitiveness and addressing natural disasters and humanitarian crisis, she said.
She noted that 26 countries agreed on the proposal on the table. “This is a good result,” she said, adding that tough choices were required.
Addressing Hungary’s lack of support for the budget, von der Leyen said the Commission will use the time until the next summit “to ensure that whatever happens at this next [European Council], we will have an operational solution.”
Updated
Ireland says EU money will 'continue to flow' to Ukraine despite Orbán decision to block aid package
Leo Varadkar, the prime minister of Ireland, said funding “will continue to flow” to Ukraine despite the decision by Viktor Orbán to block a decision to approve a €50bn aid package for the next four years.
It’s not a disaster in the sense that we can now roll over the loans to Ukraine. The money will continue to flow to Ukraine for the next couple of months. And hopefully when we come back here in January or February we’ll be able to agree a package of financial support for Ukraine.
On the Middle East, he said there was no a “clear majority” for a ceasefire in but they had agreed at this point not to draw up conclusions or a declaration and they would return to the subject in the new year.
I think if we’d tried to have written conclusions we would have been here for many, many hours. And probably have only come up with compromise wording that nobody would have been happy with.
But I think it is very clear that there was a very good discussion, a strategic discussion on the Middle East.
The room has changed since we last discussed this back in October.
There is now a very clear majority in the European Union for humanitarian ceasefire for an end to the conflict.
Updated
Charles Michel also addressed the leaders’ discussion on the situation in the Middle East.
The European Union needs to be committed and involved, as far as possible, in trying to have an impact in what is happening.
He added:
There is strong unity around the guarantee of security for Israel. Israel has the right to its security, it has the right to exist. And that’s why on repeated occasions we have continued to condemn Hamas’s terrorist attacks and the choice of Hamas to use civilians as human shields.
We urge and call upon Hamas to release unconditionally the remaining hostages – immediately.
And we also repeat that the right to defend itself in Israel has to be carried out in compliance with international law.
And we reiterate again also that humanitarian support and aid must be guaranteed.
Among some of the members of the European Council, there are different feelings and sentiments about the idea of a pause, a humanitarian pause, supported by others, and a humanitarian ceasefire, supported by others.
But the essential points, I think, are linked to two points: joint commitment to further support and offer support on humanitarian aid, and to ensure that humanitarian access for aid is open … Another essential point is not just to reiterate the traditional standpoint of the EU, but its commitment to the political process for a two-state solution.
And that means that the European Union countries have to work in an accelerated way to build upon this … Some people said that we should, quite rightly, condemn the increasing attacks led by settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank.
The leaders also talked about the “next day”, he noted.
Updated
Michel 'confident' EU will support Kyiv financially
Speaking at a press conference after the EU leaders’ summit, European Council president, Charles Michel, said Russia’s war has already transformed the bloc and that this week’s summit had a historic dimension given the decision to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova.
We are absolutely convinced that enlargement is investment in peace, in security, and in prosperity. This is a very powerful political message that we send to our European citizens and that we send to the citizens of the candidate countries and to the rest of the world.
He also noted that 26 member states out of the 27 supported a proposed budget revision and that a special summit will be held next year to try to bring everyone on board.
The proposal on the table is “very well balanced,” he said, noting that it shows the commitment to support Ukraine, and takes into account priorities such as migration and defence.
I’m extremely confident and optimistic that we’ll be in a position to fulfil on our promises to support Ukraine with financial means.
Updated
At the end of the summit, Latvia’s Evika Siliņa took an optimistic tone.
European Council results: a historic decision to start EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.
We will continue to seek solutions for long-term EU financial support for Ukraine. We return to the EU leaders’ table early next year – and we will deliver!
Updated
José Manuel Fernandes, a Portuguese MEP who is the centre-right European People’s party spokesperson for budgets, has criticised the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán.
In a statement, he said:
Hungary’s veto must be condemned for what it is: a cynical move for selfish political interests.
Prime minister Orbán should be ashamed of his actions – blocking aid to Ukraine which is defending European democracy on the battlefield every day. This approach cannot be tolerated at EU level. We don’t tolerate any type of blackmail.
Updated
Summit ends
The European Council summit has officially ended, an EU official said.
Stay tuned for details from the closing press conference.
Updated
Leaders move on to migration
The EU’s leaders have now started discussing migration.
The EU’s 27 leaders “had a strategic debate” on the Middle East that they will “continue to discuss in the future”, said an EU official, noting that a text on the topic was not tabled.
Updated
Hungarian officials are enjoying the attention in Brussels.
Being Hungarian in Brussels is fun. pic.twitter.com/hw8VFw2rHd
— Balázs Orbán (@BalazsOrban_HU) December 15, 2023
EU position on Gaza moving, says Varadkar
European leaders are unlikely to call for a ceasefire in the conflict in the Middle East but may harden the language of the declaration the European Council made in October when it called for pauses or pauses in the bombing of Gaza, said the Irish prime minister, Leo Varadkar.
Foreign policy matters are done on the basis of consensus or unanimity. The majority of EU countries are now calling for a ceasefire, that’s very clear from the UN vote the other day, but there are one or two who are not because they believe that it would prevent Israel from pursuing Hamas terrorists.
I don’t agree with that interpretation. You can pursue terrorists without engaging in the kind of war and destruction that Israel is engaging in at the moment.
He added:
I am not sure we can get agreement on the use of the word ceasefire. But I do think we’ll see the European Union’s position move on considerably from where it was in October. We now have a clear majority of countries here in the European Union calling for a ceasefire.
He also said there was also likely to be “strong language on human rights” and violence by some Israeli settlers West Bank.
Updated
EU leaders are expected to issue fresh statements on the Middle East, the rise of antisemitism and the question of sanctions against Israeli settlers involved in violence in the West Bank this afternoon.
First on the agenda is the Middle East.
Diplomats said it was “important that leaders were allowed to speak” on the issue but, unlike the last summit meeting in October, they were not looking to make a common declaration, thereby averting a repeat of five-hour debate on whether there should be “pause” or “pauses” in the bombing of Gaza.
To follow on the agenda are discussions about security and defence, migration and the strategic priorities for the EU, including the improving relations with Turkey.
Updated
After a long night, leaders are meeting again.
Here are some photos.
Updated
Kosovo reiterates candidacy push as Ukraine and Moldova move ahead
Albin Kurti, Kosovo’s prime minister, called the EU’s decision to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova a “historic moment” – but also used the opportunity to underscore that enlargement to the western Balkans “is the best way to bolster peace & security across the continent”.
As one of the most democratic & pro-EU states in the region, Kosovo should be granted candidate status w/o delay.
A historic moment as @EUCouncil voted to open accession talks w/ 🇺🇦 & 🇦🇩. 🇪🇺 enlargement—incl. the WB6—is the best way to bolster peace & security across the continent. As one of the most democratic & pro-EU states in the region, 🇽🇰 should be granted candidate status w/o delay.
— Albin Kurti (@albinkurti) December 15, 2023
Updated
The EU leaders were not the only ones to have a late work night.
Latvia’s prime minister, Evika Siliņa, gave a shoutout to the interpreters who were up with the heads of state and government until 3am.
Eiropas līderu sanāksmē atkal esam šodien atpakaļ, pēc vakardienas vēsturiskā lēmuma par Ukrainu un Moldovu.🇪🇺🇺🇦🇲🇩
— Evika Siliņa 🇱🇻🇺🇦 (@EvikaSilina) December 15, 2023
Vakar te beidzām darbu 3:00 naktī, tikmēr mūsu tulki veica lielisku darbu, tulkojot no spāņu, franču, poļu un daudzām citām ES valodām mūsu līderu diskusijas. #EUCO pic.twitter.com/B0kvhaeXB5
Updated
The centre-right European People’s party has expressed concern about the outcome of last night’s budget discussion among EU leaders.
“Technological innovation is one of the key areas of European excellence – cutting important research funding to the benefit of other programmes is not acceptable, as it threatens Europe’s future wellbeing and competitiveness,” said the German MEP Christian Ehler.
He added:
We will continue to fight for our budget until there is an agreement that lives up to these promises.
Updated
Key event
Gitanas Nausėda, Lithuania’s president, said this morning: “Today we are celebrating.”
“I am proud to be European, and it was necessary to send this political signal to our friends, in Ukraine especially.”
Updated
Belgian leader calls for common position on Middle East
Arriving at the summit, where leaders today will discuss the situation in the Middle East, the Belgian prime minister, Alexander De Croo, said:
I think compared to the last council the situation has worsened in a dramatic way. What should be our objective is that the human suffering should end, on both sides – and there has been way too much human suffering.
What are the components of that, is full humanitarian access needs to happen, hostages need to be liberated, and there needs to be a cease of the hostilities.
Now, how do we get there? An important element is that we Europeans have a common position. If we want to have a serious role in that conflict. And I think we have to, because we would be bearing the consequences if things go further in a bad direction.
He added: “The killing of innocent civilians really needs to stop.”
Updated
'Strong will' to provide funds to Ukraine, Estonian PM says
Arriving at day two of the summit, Estonia’s Kaja Kallas said: “Yesterday we made a historic decision.”
She added:
As you know, I wasn’t very optimistic. But we managed to do the decision. And we are happy about this.
What of course we have to work with is the financial support.
What I can assure you that Ukraine will not be left without support. There was a strong will of 26 to provide this support, and there were different ways how we can do this.
So will work this out. Probably we’ll have another meeting, maybe in January, to reach agreement on this.
Updated
Hungary can stop Ukrainian accession later, Orbán says
Speaking on Hungarian state radio this morning, Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, said he tried for hours to convince European leaders not to sign off on launching accession negotiations with Kyiv.
Orbán said the leaders had several arguments he had to take into account:
“They are 26, and I’m alone.”
“They want to give Ukraine through this decision the encouragement needed to continue the war, and they asked that I don’t obstruct them in this.”
“But their decisive argument was that Hungary doesn’t lose anything with this … If we don’t want Ukraine to be a member of the European Union, then the Hungarian parliament votes it down. And until the issue gets to the parliaments, it’s a very, very long process, and as they counted and I did, there are about 75 occasions when the Hungarian government can stop this process. And they said that if during the negotiations there is something which hurts Hungary’s interests, I stop it.”
Orbán also reiterated that Hungary did not want to take part in the “bad decision” and that is why he left the room while leaders made the decision to open accession talks.
“Later we can stop this process, if needed we pull the handbrake,” he said.
Updated
26 out of 27 leaders agreed on funding, Michel says
Speaking to reporters overnight, after many hours of discussion among the bloc’s 27 leaders, European Council president said “26 leaders agreed” on the budget proposal on the table.
“One leader, Sweden, needs to consult its parliament, which is in line with the usual procedure for this country - and one leader couldn’t agree,” he said, in a veiled reference to Hungary’s Viktor Orbán.
The budget revision includes a proposed 50 bn euro package for Ukraine, and spending on migration, defence and other priorities.
Michel added:
It means that we will revert to this matter early next year and we will try to get unanimity.
But, he stressed, “tonight we spent a very powerful signal to the European citizens, a very powerful signal to the Ukrainian citizens.”
Earlier in the evening, European leaders agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, with Orbán leaving the room while the decision was made.
“This is a historic moment, a historic European Council,” Michel said.
Hungary blocks €50bn package for Ukraine
After hours of talks, at 2.38am local time Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, said he had blocked agreement on both a new funding package for Ukraine and a top-up of the EU’s multiyear budget.
But he did not say he would veto forever, noting that the leaders would return to the issue next year “after proper preparation”.
Summary of the nightshift:
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) December 15, 2023
🚫 veto for the extra money to Ukraine,
🚫 veto for the MFF review.
We will come back to the issue next year in the #EUCO after proper preparation.
Updated
Welcome to the blog
Good morning and welcome to another edition of our European summit blog.
Send tips and comments to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.
