EU 27 Leaders Gather... Efforts for 'Unity' Amid International Turmoil

9 Days After the Video Conference on the 17th
Some Pro-Russian Member States Exhibit Unexpected Behavior

Leaders of the 27 European Union (EU) member states gathered on the 26th (local time) at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, to discuss the situation in the Middle East and support for Ukraine.

Executive Committee exterior ahead of the EU Summit
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

Through this summit, the EU is expected to focus on sending a united and coherent message despite the deepening turmoil in the international situation.

The summit, held at the EU headquarters from the afternoon of the day for one night and two days, is the first since the informal virtual summit held on the 17th, nine days ago.

The first day’s meeting is expected to focus on diplomacy and security. In particular, they will discuss ways to expand humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, where civilian casualties are rapidly increasing due to armed clashes between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

According to major foreign media, the draft joint statement includes the need for “continuous, rapid, safe, and unrestricted humanitarian access and assistance through all possible means, including humanitarian corridors and pauses.”

At the EU foreign ministers’ meeting held on the 23rd, member states failed to reach a proper conclusion on the ‘humanitarian pause’ proposed by Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

France, the Netherlands, Spain, and others support the official ‘humanitarian ceasefire’ proposed by the United Nations, but Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, and others reportedly oppose it, citing concerns that it could infringe on Israel’s right to self-defense.

The EU also aims to reaffirm its “unchanging support” for Ukraine at this summit. There is an underlying concern that if Ukraine, which neighbors the EU, is defeated by Russia, it could affect European politics, economy, and security overall.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will deliver a speech via video conference on the day.

Additionally, a new sanctions package against Russia, including a ban on imports of Russian diamonds, is reportedly on the agenda. However, signs of internal discord are emerging due to disruptive actions by pro-Russian member states. Robert Fico, the newly appointed Prime Minister of Slovakia, announced just before the meeting that he would halt military aid to Ukraine. Viktor Orb?n, Prime Minister of Hungary, also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in mid-month, becoming the first EU leader to do so since the outbreak of the Ukraine war.