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EU summit updates: Leaders to discuss Middle East, Ukraine
Quick Facts:
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasizes the need for a European awakening on defense
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address EU leaders regarding the country’s air defense systems
- EU summit agenda shifts to focus on foreign policy discussions related to the Middle East and Ukraine
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the urgency for a “European awakening” on defense in the face of threats from authoritarian powers such as Russia, Iran, and North Korea. She highlighted the need to rebuild, replenish, and transform member states’ armed forces, with a specific focus on emerging technology.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been invited to address EU leaders via video link, seeking more air defense systems for Ukraine after recent attacks. He emphasized the need for sufficient resolve and support from Western partners, expressing the country’s lack of adequate air defenses that could have prevented the recent strike.
The EU summit, originally intended for a strategic review of the EU’s economic competitiveness, has shifted its focus to foreign policy discussions due to recent events in the Middle East. Topics include Iran’s attack on Israel, a call for a cease-fire in Ukraine, and discussions on the bloc’s competitiveness in the face of global competition.
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