Controversies are to be expected at the meeting of EU heads of state and government – especially on the subject of the Middle East. Further aid to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, the budget and migration are also on their agenda.
Since the Hamas attack, the EU has not yet found a common position – even though all member states strongly condemn the terrorist organization’s barbaric attacks. Some, like Germany, affirm the Israelis’ right to self-defense, others, like Spain, are critical of the Israeli army’s actions in the Gaza Strip and call for compliance with international law.
There is agreement that the suffering Palestinian population needs to be helped – but not how. A number of EU countries are calling for an immediate ceasefire so that the people in Gaza can be cared for and more innocent people do not lose their lives – Ireland and Belgium, for example, but also the Netherlands and Slovenia.
Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany are more cautious. They believe that there can be neither security nor peace as long as Hamas’ terror continues. They also doubt that the militant Islamists are actually sticking to their agreements. It is likely that the summit will call for temporary ceasefires to enable the delivery of aid.
Aid for Ukraine
The countries in Eastern Europe in particular fear that the Middle East crisis will overshadow the Russian war of aggression and that support for Ukraine will dwindle. In order to dispel these concerns, the invitation letter from EU Council President Charles Michel states: Europe will continue to help steadfastly for as long as it is necessary.
Actually, this summit should have discussed whether – and if so, when – talks with Ukraine about joining the EU could begin. Because the EU Commission’s report on the country’s progress towards Europe is not yet available, a decision is now expected at the end of December.
Whether frozen Russian assets should be skimmed off for the reconstruction of Ukraine – as Belgium is specifically planning to do – is still controversial. Germany, among others, has legal concerns. The summit will also focus on the twelfth sanctions package against Russia. An import ban on Russian diamonds would be conceivable. There is also talk of lowering the oil price cap.
Discontent about financial issues
Given the many crises and wars around the world, will the EU run out of money in the long term? In the opinion of the EU Commission, the budget for the years 2021 to 2027 has been exhausted. The Von der Leyen team therefore wants to collect an additional 50 billion euros from the member states for aid to Ukraine alone.
In addition, the European Peace Fund, which, among other things, finances arms purchases for the Ukrainian army, is to be increased by 20 billion euros over the next five years. However, many EU countries such as Austria or the Netherlands are not convinced that there is really a need for fresh money and instead want to reallocate unused budget resources. Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner has already made it clear that he sees no scope for further payments from Germany to the EU budget.
Handshake in Beijing: EU Commission Vice President Vera Jourova called this gesture by Viktor Orbán and Vladimir Putin on October 17 an “act of high treason.”
Anger at Orbán
And then there is Viktor Orbán: A week and a half ago, the Hungarian head of government met with Russian President Putin in Beijing – to reaffirm the relations between the two countries, as it was later said, and to agree on a new gas deal – although the EU actually wants to cut off Russian energy supplies.
Many in Brussels and other European capitals find what Orbán is doing a scandal. Especially since Hungary is repeatedly putting the brakes on Russia sanctions or arms aid for Ukraine. EU Commission Vice President Vera Jourova even calls the handshake with Putin an “act of high treason.” Orbán should therefore prepare for critical questions, at least on the sidelines of this summit.