Ukraine to be among key issues at EU summit: Costa outlines agenda
Costa noted that Ukraine continues to achieve new successes on the battlefield, while Russia is failing to meet its military and strategic objectives.
Costa believes that, together with the momentum for the Western Balkans seen during the recent Tivat summit with partners from the region, the enlargement process has gained new impetus. He also addressed the issue of EU defense separately.
"Recent drone incursions into EU airspace, including the crash of a Russian drone carrying explosives into a residential building in Romania, underline the urgency of advancing our shared defence readiness agenda, including by strengthening the EU's Eastern flank. While progress has been made on defence spending and capabilities, much more remains to be done," Costa wrote.
The leaders will also discuss the latest developments in the Middle East, including the conflict in Iran and its broader consequences, particularly for energy prices. They will discuss the dramatic situation in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as developments in Lebanon, including the EU's continued efforts to support a ceasefire, the Lebanese state, and its people.
The summit will also include a discussion of the EU economy's competitiveness.
"We will therefore begin our meeting with a review of progress on the 'One Europe, One Market' agenda," he wrote. The leaders will also return to the next multiannual financial framework, Costa wrote.
The leaders will also take stock of progress in implementing previous conclusions on migration to ensure that work continues at an accelerated pace in all priority areas.
Background
The meeting will begin on Thursday, June 18, at 6 p.m. Brussels time, and Costa aims to conclude the work after lunch on Friday, June 19.
According to media reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi will attend the European Council meeting. It remains unclear whether the Ukrainian president will attend in person or join by video link, but Brussels expects Zelenskyi to be present in person.
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12 of June 2026
