Brussels, 4 October 2022
EU leaders will meet in Prague to discuss the three most pressing, and interlinked, issues facing the EU, namely Russia’s war in Ukraine, energy and the economic situation.
The leaders will continue to discuss these topics at the upcoming European Council in Brussels on 20 and 21 October 2022.
This informal European Council meeting takes place following the first meeting of the European Political Community on 6 October 2022.
Ukraine
EU leaders will discuss the EU’s response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the Kremlin’s continuous escalation, including the organisation of a national mobilisation campaign, the sham coercive ‘referenda’ and the illegal annexation of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. In their statement from 30 September 2022, EU leaders firmly rejected and unequivocally condemned the illegal annexations.
Our solidarity with Ukraine and its people remains unwavering. We will continue to strengthen our restrictive measures to further increase pressure on Russia to end its war.
European Council President Charles Michel, invitation letter 2 October 2022
In this context, EU leaders will discuss how to continue providing support to Ukraine, including economic, military, political and financial support as well as how best to protect our critical infrastructure.
- Statement by the Members of the European Council, 30 September 2022
- EU response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (background information)
Energy
Russia’s war against Ukraine has a dramatic impact on the energy situation in Europe, with a spillover effect on the economy. In this context, EU leaders will discuss how to guarantee security of supply and affordable energy for households and businesses, particularly for the coming winter.
As part of the discussions, EU leaders will assess the decisions already taken in this regard, including a set of energy measures to reduce electricity demand and to collect and redistribute the energy sector’s surplus revenues for final consumers, which EU energy ministers reached a political agreement on at the end of September.
In light of the discussions, EU leaders will also provide guidance for further reforms and measures to ensure a well-coordinated European response.
Economic situation
EU leaders will examine how to tackle the economic challenges stemming from Russia’s war against Ukraine and its impact on energy. In this context, addressing high energy prices, supporting growth and jobs and protecting vulnerable consumers from high energy bills are the prime concern. Against this background, EU leaders will discuss how to coordinate policy responses in a spirit of solidarity and in defence of common interests.
Source – EU Council