At this year’s final European Council meeting on 18–19 December, EU leaders face another decisive moment as they confront unresolved strategic questions on Ukraine, enlargement, migration, the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), and the Union’s geoeconomic competitiveness.

Will leaders finally agree on a durable financial package to prevent Ukraine from running out of funds next year? Can they overcome Belgium’s resistance to using frozen Russian assets, or will political, financial and legal concerns again block an agreement? And with Washington’s new National Security Strategy reshaping the transatlantic context, how will the EU define its own approach to supporting Kyiv and assuming greater geopolitical responsibility?

On the MFF, can EU leaders bridge the gap between demands for fiscal restraint and calls for increased spending aligned with the Union’s long-term strategic needs? On enlargement, are they prepared to make concrete advances while also addressing the need to prepare for a Union of 30+ member states? On migration, can the EU move toward a more ambitious common approach and accelerate implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum? Finally, on geoeconomy and competitiveness, will leaders endorse a more assertive strategy to strengthen economic security, or will differences among the EU27 constrain the level of ambition?

This event welcomes the participation of EPC member organisations, EU institutions, elected officials and media.

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