Key facts
- Key decisions on the EU's long-term budget and Ukraine's financial needs were postponed.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested €70 billion for defense and resilience.
- EU leaders did not agree to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine.
- A proposal to link irregular migration to crime rates was rejected.
- The European Commission will propose an emergency migration response framework.
EU leaders concluded a two-day summit in Brussels on October 16, 2026, without resolving key issues such as the bloc's long-term budget and financial aid for Ukraine. Despite urgent calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for at least €70 billion to cover defense and resilience costs next year, leaders deferred decisions to future meetings in November and December. Discussions also included the potential use of €300 billion in frozen Russian assets, a proposal that saw no change in stance from countries like Sweden. Debates over climate rules and migration policy also proved divisive, with a proposal to link irregular migration to crime rates being defeated.