In his letter of invitation, the President of the European Council, António Costa, revealed the arrangements for the Special European Council to be held on 6 March.
Mr Costa has invited the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, to come to Brussels to discuss the latest developments with his European counterparts. He will be invited to take part in a discussion over lunch, after the “traditional exchange of views” with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.
European leaders will then focus on European defence. “My aim is to follow up our informal retreat on 3 February, with a view to taking first decisions for the short term, in order for Europe to become more sovereign, more capable and better equipped to deal with immediate and future challenges to its security”, stated Mr Costa in his invitation letter to leaders. Discussions will focus in particular on European defence capabilities.
The President of the European Commission is expected to present a comprehensive plan to increase European arms production and defence capabilities (see EUROPE 13586/1).
Leaders may discuss different options for financing defence, such as the safeguard clause in the budget rules, but also the strengthening of private financing or the ideas of a bank for rearmament (see EUROPE 13574/1) and a European instrument dedicated to financing European defence projects (see EUROPE 13588/17).
Addressing the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on Thursday 27 February, the Polish Undersecretary of State, Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, said that a compromise had to be found between the Member States on how to finance military capabilities. “We don’t have much time to do it”, she warned, pointing out that Poland’s priority was to finance the defence industry and defence capabilities and to reach an agreement on the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), which is still under discussion.
The Special European Council will then focus on Ukraine. At a time when “there is a new momentum, which should lead to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace”, Mr Costa felt that it was “important” for leaders to exchange views on how to further support Ukraine and on the principles that should be respected in the future. “The EU and its Member States are ready to take more responsibility for Europe’s security. We should therefore be prepared for a possible European contribution to the security guarantees that will be necessary to ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine”, explained the President of the European Council.
His consultations with the leaders of the Member States have focused on the details of a comprehensive, definitive and just peace and the implications for EU security, security guarantees and the role of the EU, and the possibility of appointing a special envoy. In June 2024, the EU and Ukraine signed security commitments (see EUROPE 13441/2).
Leaders are also expected to discuss the High Representative’s proposal to step up military support for Ukraine, with the amount of support still to be debated (see EUROPE 13586/1). The discussion promises to be difficult, with Hungary already announcing its opposition. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)