Ukraine liveblog
EU envoys move to toughen language of summit text
As we inch towards Thursday's summit, the draft EU summit conclusions have seen their language toughened up on stronger military and financial aid to Ukraine, use of frozen Russian assets, and on Ukraine's EU accession process.
Compared to a previous draft, a new version seen by Euractiv has seen changes in the language on Ukraine support.
This includes stronger wording on EU sanctions against Russia, where EU leaders are now expected to call for "stepping up pressure on Russia, including through further sanctions and by strengthening the enforcement of existing measures".
While EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas' initiative for further military support had fallen off the draft only a few days ago after Hungary blocked the idea, it's now back in.
On enlargement, the text now says that leaders will support Ukraine’s reform efforts on its path "towards EU membership".
While Hungary is expected to oppose the stronger version, with the potential risk of not having EU27 conclusions, several EU diplomats say the intention to send a message might take precedent over accommodating Budapest.
If no conclusions can be agreed at an EU summit, a very rare situation, European Council President António Costa can issue a so-called chair statement that excludes the dissenting countries.
This includes stronger wording on EU sanctions against Russia, where EU leaders are now expected to call for "stepping up pressure on Russia, including through further sanctions and by strengthening the enforcement of existing measures".
While EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas' initiative for further military support had fallen off the draft only a few days ago after Hungary blocked the idea, it's now back in.
On enlargement, the text now says that leaders will support Ukraine’s reform efforts on its path "towards EU membership".
While Hungary is expected to oppose the stronger version, with the potential risk of not having EU27 conclusions, several EU diplomats say the intention to send a message might take precedent over accommodating Budapest.
If no conclusions can be agreed at an EU summit, a very rare situation, European Council President António Costa can issue a so-called chair statement that excludes the dissenting countries.