EU leaders clash over migration, Ukraine and budget in Brussels — but delay big decisions
Leaders left crucial decisions on the bloc's long-term budget and Ukraine's financial needs to further gatherings in November and December.
European leaders engaged in heated debates over migration policy, Ukraine's financial needs and climate rules during a two-day summit in Brussels, but failed to reach any significant agreements. Despite calls for urgent action, key decisions were postponed until later. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged his European counterparts to provide a financial plan, estimating the war would cost €155 billion next year and requesting at least €70 billion more in aid.
However, leaders expressed skepticism, with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stating that the money is not lost but no progress has been made since previous discussions. The summit also failed to make significant progress on the EU's long-term budget, with French President Emmanuel Macron warning he would not have a political mandate to sign a deal if no agreement was reached by the end of 2026.
Despite attempts to harden the EU's position on migration, Denmark, Italy, and Poland's efforts were ultimately defeated, with the proposal deleted from the final conclusions.
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