European leaders will once again discuss the situation in Ukraine at their European Council meeting on 19 December, when they will hold talks with the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky.
“We need to stand with Ukraine for as long as necessary and do whatever it takes for Russia’s invasion to be defeated and international law to prevail”, explained the President of the European Council, António Costa, in his letter of invitation to the leaders. According to a draft of the summit conclusions obtained by Agence Europe, European leaders are expected to stress that “Russia must not prevail”.
Ahead of the summit, numerous European sources explained that the aim was to help Ukraine to be in the strongest possible position, whatever the outcome, whether negotiations or the continuation of the war. In the draft conclusions, the EU Council underlines the principle that “no initiative regarding Ukraine be taken without Ukraine”. “And there can be no diplomatic solution on Ukraine and in Europe without the Europeans”, add the diplomats. “It’s up to the Ukrainians to decide what to do. In all circumstances, our role is to support Ukraine”, insisted one source.
As Europeans question what decisions Trump might make, “they need to focus on what we can do ourselves, rather than focusing or speculating on what the US can do”, explained one source.
The leaders should therefore discuss their support, particularly financial support. Disbursements under the Ukraine Facility are expected to be €12.5 billion in 2025, and under the G7 initiative ‘Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine’ (ERA), the EU plans to start disbursements in January, for a total of €18.1 billion in 2025.
The European Council is also expected to call for an “urgent stepping up of efforts” in the military field, “in particular on the delivery of air defence systems, ammunition and missiles, as well as on the provision of necessary training and equipment for Ukrainian brigades”. The importance of stepping up work to support and further develop the Ukrainian defence industry and deepen its cooperation with the EU defence industry will also be highlighted, as will the implementation of all ERA components, including the military requirements component.
The European Council is expected as well to call for the continuation of “efforts to further limit Russia’s ability to wage war”, whether by combating the circumvention of sanctions or adopting new measures. The leaders will also urge all third countries to immediately cease all direct or indirect aid to Russia in its war.
Finally, the leaders will reportedly warn that, “subject to EU law, Russia’s assets should remain immobilised until Russia ceases its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates it for the damage caused by this war”. While the High Representative of the Union, Kaja Kallas, said that all frozen assets should be used for Ukraine, several European sources explained that this raised political and legal questions. Some of them also pointed out that “there is a choice to be made: if you touch the assets, you touch the windfall profits”, used for the G7 loan.
Support for Moldova and concerns about Georgia
On Moldova, the European Council is expected to congratulate the Moldovan authorities on the “successful conduct” of the EU-related presidential elections and referendum, “despite hybrid activities by Russia to undermine the country’s democratic institutions”. According to the draft conclusions, the leaders are to pledge that the EU will continue to work closely with the country to strengthen its resilience and stability and to support its reform efforts on its European path, and they should invite the Commission to urgently examine further ways to assist the country in strengthening its energy security.
In addition, the European Council will reportedly reiterate its “serious concerns” about the Georgian government’s course of action. It is expected to strongly condemn the violence against peaceful demonstrators, politicians and journalists. “The Georgian authorities must respect the right to freedom of assembly and of expression, and refrain from using force. All acts of violence must be investigated and those responsible held accountable”, warn the EU leaders in the draft conclusions. In their view, the EU is ready to support the Georgian people’s European aspirations and the country’s progress towards accession, should the authorities change their course of action.
To see the draft conclusions of the European Council: https://aeur.eu/f/ev7 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with the editorial staff)