This EPC Update and Post-Summit Briefing will analyse the outcomes of the European Council meeting on 26–27 June, where EU leaders will address a range of pressing issues, including Ukraine, EU enlargement, defence and security, economic competitiveness, and the situation in the Middle East.

Will EU leaders take concrete steps on Ukraine’s path towards membership and advance the broader enlargement agenda? Will they be able to make progress on efforts aiming to reform the operating system of an enlarging Union? As security challenges mount, could a ‘coalition of the willing’ comprising both EU and non-EU countries take on greater responsibility for EUrope’s security and defence? How might this be reflected in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)? And how will EU leaders respond to the outcome of the NATO summit, especially regarding the proposed increase in defence spending to 5% of GDP? In addition, can the heads of state and government deliver concrete action on boosting the Union’s economic competitiveness and strengthening the euro’s global role? And finally, will the EU27 be able to unite behind a common position on the situation in Gaza and the escalating military conflict between Israel and Iran? What role can the Union play as the risk of wider escalation grows?

Participation is open to EPC members only, the media and EU officials.