Key facts
- European Council President António Costa's office initiated contact with Russia without consulting several EU member states.
- Some EU leaders expressed support for Costa potentially acting as a special envoy for talks with Russia.
- The EU summit also addressed responses to Chinese trade competition and the bloc's long-term budget.
- Divisions emerged among EU members regarding budget proposals, with 'frugal' nations seeking cuts.
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas addressed a dispute with Israel's foreign minister.
European Council President António Costa's decision to open a diplomatic channel with Moscow has created divisions among EU leaders, with several expressing concern over not being consulted. Costa defended his actions, asserting the need to convey bloc interests, and some leaders indicated support for him potentially acting as a special envoy for direct talks with Russia.
The summit also grappled with the EU's response to unfair Chinese trading competition, with leaders granting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen a mandate to develop new tools to address the trade deficit, which reached €360 billion last year. Potential measures include anti-dumping duties and targeted tariffs.
Discussions also focused on the EU's next long-term budget, the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF). A proposal from the Cypriot EU Presidency for a €32.8 billion adjustment to the overall €2 trillion pot was rejected by 'frugal' nations, such as Sweden, which advocates for a budget around 1% of GNI. The 'Friends of Cohesion' group, comprising 16 governments, is expected to push for preserving agricultural funding.
In other news, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas addressed a dispute with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who threatened to sever contact over reported comments Kallas made comparing Israel to apartheid. Additionally, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a review of US forces in Europe and criticized NATO allies.