The 27 heads of state and government of the European Union are gathering today in Brussels to address a range of pressing global issues, including:
Tougher sanctions on Russia
Avoiding new tariffs from the United States
Strengthening Europe’s voice in the Middle East
The meeting comes immediately after an intense NATO summit, where European leaders pledged to boost defense spending and attempted to minimize rifts with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will join the EU summit via video link, following his in-person meeting with Trump on Wednesday in The Hague. Although NATO gave little direct focus to Ukraine, Russia’s war remains a top concern for EU leaders.
The summit will explore the 18th round of sanctions against Russia, including whether to maintain the price cap on Russian oil — a move facing pushback from some member states worried about rising energy costs.
Trade Tensions with the U.S.
Trump’s repeated threats of tariffs, especially his recent criticism of Spain for “not spending enough on defense,” are causing unease in Brussels. As the EU negotiates trade deals on behalf of all 27 member states, Trump’s rhetoric has reignited fears of a new transatlantic trade war.
French President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned Trump’s actions, accusing him of starting an unnecessary conflict with long-time allies.
Middle East & Iran
The EU is also focused on the growing instability in the Middle East, where it hopes to revive nuclear talks with Iran. However, divisions among EU states over policy towards Israel — especially regarding the Gaza conflict — continue to pose internal challenges.
Meanwhile, left-wing parties have criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for what they see as a shift away from climate leadership in favor of military and defense priorities.
What’s at Stake
Defense and security are expected to dominate the summit’s agenda. The meeting will conclude with a joint declaration, outlining the EU’s priorities for the next four months and offering a glimpse into the political mood across Europe on key regional and global issues.
