EU leaders in Brussels to discuss budget and Ukraine support
EU leaders meet in Brussels to discuss energy prices, the next EU budget, and financial support for Ukraine. The summit runs through Friday amid geopolitical tensions. The European Council will ask the Commission for more energy measures, including optimizing refinery capacity and aggregating demand. Leaders will also review Ireland's presidency proposal for the 2027-2034 budget, which cuts 8% from the Commission's plan, aiming for a deal by December. Portugal demands nearly €1 billion extra for its outermost regions, threatening to block the agreement. On Friday, leaders will host Ukraine's President Zelensky, and address hybrid threats from Russia and tensions with the US over a Washington-Moscow energy deal.