EUCO Liveblog
Trade-offs in final Ukraine conclusions
Three key things stand out in the final Ukraine conclusions, which were agreed by 26 countries, without Hungary:
1. Peace efforts
A new reference was added at Giorgia Meloni's request that EU leaders would "welcomes all efforts towards achieving such a [comprehensive, just and lasting] peace” – a veiled hint at US and other initiatives.
2. Ukraine support
Finland proposed wording to speed up – "frontload" – financial support to Ukraine as soon as possible.
3. Slovakia gas transit U-turn
EU leaders' olive branch to Slovakia on Ukraine gas transit has been significantly softened, compared to previous versions seen by Euractiv. The mention of "resuming" gas transit is gone, replaced by a broader reference only relating to "Slovakia’s concerns".
1. Peace efforts
A new reference was added at Giorgia Meloni's request that EU leaders would "welcomes all efforts towards achieving such a [comprehensive, just and lasting] peace” – a veiled hint at US and other initiatives.
2. Ukraine support
Finland proposed wording to speed up – "frontload" – financial support to Ukraine as soon as possible.
3. Slovakia gas transit U-turn
EU leaders' olive branch to Slovakia on Ukraine gas transit has been significantly softened, compared to previous versions seen by Euractiv. The mention of "resuming" gas transit is gone, replaced by a broader reference only relating to "Slovakia’s concerns".