EU leaders end year with summit again marked by Ukraine and energy

European Union (EU) support for Ukraine in the face of Russian military aggression and energy issues dominate the agenda of the last European Council 2022 in Brussels this Thursday, as has been the case for almost the entire year.

In a letter of invitation addressed to 27 EU heads of state and government, including Prime Minister António Costa, President of the European Council Charles Michel notes that “Ukraine, as always, is in the spotlight” and, therefore, the agenda of the summit of leaders of the public bloc , as it has been since the end of February last year, when Russia launched a military offensive against a neighboring country.

“The Russian military build-up since October 10, with its repeated strikes on Ukraine’s critical energy facilities and infrastructure, has caused massive damage to Ukraine’s energy system. Millions of civilians were left without electricity, heat and running water. The situation is aggravated by snow and freezing temperatures. demands an adequate response from us, including in terms of training and humanitarian assistance,” the Belgian leader writes, addressing European capitals.

Charles Michel adds that “in addition to the country’s urgent needs, a substantive debate is also needed on how to guarantee the sustainability of Ukraine’s military and financial support” from the EU, so the compromise reached this week between the 27s to unlock Ukraine’s macro-financial assistance package in 18 billion euros for 2023.

As was the case at the beginning of the year, European leaders will dedicate a significant part of their work to discussing issues related to the energy sector, namely prices and supplies.

“This year has radically changed our energy landscape and has shown more than ever that we need to act together. Ensuring the security of supply and lowering prices for citizens and businesses remains our priority. Progress since October and we give further guidance,” the President of the European Council notes in a letter -invitation, and this at a time when 27 energy ministers are still trying to agree on a mechanism of last resort to set a price ceiling on the main European gas exchange.

Charles Michel specifically indicates that “the next year’s challenge” will be discussed, with “one of the most important milestones in 2023 will be the reform of the electricity market, which the Commission will propose as soon as possible.”

“Our new energy horizon has been a domino effect on our economy, which has been hit harder than our trading partners. Our future growth prospects depend not only on how we manage the energy shock in the short term, but also on how well our industries are at staying competitive and our ability to innovate and invest in the technologies of the future,” he notes.

In this sense, the President of the Council calls for a discussion on how best to manage a coordinated political response at level 27, “including with the support of pan-European solutions”, and also in the light of protectionist policies, in the opinion of the EU – followed by the US.

This summit of 27 heads of state and government was preceded on Wednesday by the EU-ASEAN Anniversary Summit, the first in history between the leaders of the European bloc and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to celebrate 45 years of diplomatic relations between the two sides.

Just before the start of work this Thursday, as is customary in European Councils, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, will address the 27.

This intervention by Metsola is especially expected in light of the corruption scandal that has shaken the institution he heads in recent days, with the arrest of several suspects of Qatar’s involvement in an alleged bribery scheme to influence the political decisions of the assembly, including Greek Vice-President of the European Parliament Eva Kaili, meanwhile deprived their duties.