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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Lili Bayer in Brussels

Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa and Kaja Kallas endorsed as EU leaders – as it happened

European Union Europe Ukraine European Council Volodymyr Zelenksyy Charles Michel Brussels
Ursula von der Leyen
EU leaders endorse Ursula von der Leyen for second term as European Commission president. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet/EPA

Summary of the day

  • Leaders of the EU’s 27 member states met in Brussels for talks about Ukraine, the Middle East, defence and the bloc’s top jobs.

  • Late in the evening, they reached an agreement nominating Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as European Commission president. Giorgia Meloni abstained and Viktor Orbán voted against.

  • Former Portuguese prime minister António Costa was selected as the next European Council president.

  • Kaja Kallas, the Estonian prime minister, was picked for the job of high representative for foreign affairs.

  • Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, attended a session with the European leaders where he thanked them for support but also said the existing pressure on Russia is “not enough” and stressed the need to fulfil all promises.

  • In France, three politicians – Gabriel Attal, Jordan Bardella and Olivier Faure – participated in a heated televised debate ahead of Sunday’s election, discussing issues ranging from economic policy to immigration.

  • A poll published today put the far-right National Rally at 36% for Sunday’s first round. It was followed by the left-wing New Popular Front at 29%.

Orbán voted against von der Leyen, in favour of Costa

Hungary’s Viktor Orbán voted against Ursula von der Leyen and in favour of Costa, two diplomatic sources said. He abstained on Kaja Kallas.

Jennifer Rankin and Lili Bayer

António Costa, the former Portuguese prime minister who was named as next European Council president, connected via videoconference and thanked leaders for their confidence.

“I’m delighted to be here today with Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas, and to soon be part of this team,” he said.

Kaja Kallas, the Estonian prime minister who was selected to be the next high representative for foreign affairs, said:

My aim is definitely to work for the European unity, protect European interests, values in the charged geopolitical context, and build global partnerships as well, which is very important at this time. So I will strive to work with the member states as well as all the institutions.

The next step, she said, is to focus on hearings at the European parliament.

Kallas also said it’s an honour also for Estonia, which has been a member of the EU for 20 years. “It’s a rather symbolic anniversary,” she said.

Updated

Ursula von der Leyen expressed her “gratitude” to leaders who endorsed her nomination for a second term as European Commission president.

She said this means that she will now will seek consent from the European parliament on her appointment, after presenting my political guidelines for the next five years.

Updated

'Mission accomplished': EU leaders address press

It’s past 12:30am here in Brussels, and leaders are talking to reporters.

“Mission accomplished! the European Council has delivered,” Charles Michel said when announcing the top jobs agreement.

He expressed his best wishes for the selected leaders.

Updated

Giorgia Meloni has reiterated her critique of the negotiating process for the top jobs.

Speaking after the summit, Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, said:

I am satisfied that together with other European leaders we selected the right people for the job. My priority was to show that Europe is stable and predictable.

Ursula von der Leyen will ensure that. Kaja Kallas understands the risks coming from Russia and Belarus. She understands Polish sensitivities. I am also looking forward to welcoming back my experienced colleague Prime Minister Costa at the helm of the European Council table.

Now, we can move on to implementing the programme and strengthen Europe’s defence capability.

Updated

‘Ready for the upcoming steps’

Manfred Weber, leader of the centre-right European People’s party, called today’s agreement “great news for Europe’s future.”

Luís Montenegro, the centre-right Portuguese prime minister, has congratulated socialist former prime minister António Costa.

Sweden’s Ulf Kristersson has praised Estonia’s Kaja Kallas, who was selected to be the next high representative for foreign affairs.

“Kaja has an impeccable track record and will bring solid experience within several areas, not least the EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine.

'Fully committed to promoting unity': Costa thanks leaders for trust

António Costa, the former Portuguese prime minister, said “it is with a strong sense of mission that I will take up the responsibility of being the next President of the European Council.”

“As President of the European Council, starting on December 1st, I will be fully committed to promoting unity between all 27 Member States and focused on putting on track the Strategic Agenda, which the EUCO has approved today and will provide guidance to the European Union for the next five years,” he said.

Meloni abstains on von der Leyen, votes against Kallas and Costa

Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister who had vocally complained about the negotiating process for the top jobs, voted against Kaja Kallas and António Costa, an EU diplomat said.

The Italian leader abstained on the nomination of Ursula von der Leyen.

Charles Michel also confirmed that leaders proposed Ursula von der Leyen for another term as European Commission president.

Her candidacy will still need to win approval from the European parliament.

Deal 'reflects EP election results and geographic balance', Latvian leader says

Evika Siliņa, the Latvian prime minister, has said that the European Council agreement on the EU’s top jobs “reflects EP election results and geographic balance. EU security, competitiveness, and support for Ukraine will remain priorities.”

Charles Michel has confirmed that António Costa has been selected as his successor.

'Satisfaction': Polish PM welcomes deal

Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, has said there is “satisfaction” for Poland and Europe.

Kaja Kallas 'honoured' to be nominated as EU's next foreign policy chief

The Estonian prime minister has confirmed she has been nominated.

“We must continue working together to ensure Europe is an effective global partner to keep our citizens free, safe and prosperous,” she said.

EU leaders endorse Ursula von der Leyen for second term as European Commission president

The EU’s heads of state and government today nominated Ursula von der Leyen to stay on as European Commission president for a second five-year term, according to three EU diplomats.

Von der Leyen, a German politician, is a member of the centre-right European People’s party. As a next step, von der Leyen will need to win the approval of the majority of members of the European parliament.

The leaders also named António Costa, a socialist former Portuguese prime minister, as the next president of the European Council.

They also selected Kaja Kallas, the current Estonian prime minister whose party is a member of the liberal Renew Europe grouping, to replace Josep Borrell as the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs.

Lili Bayer and Jennifer Rankin in Brussels

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opens the weekly meeting of the European College of Commissioners in Brussels, 26 June.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opens the weekly meeting of the European College of Commissioners in Brussels, 26 June. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet/EPA

Updated

Petr Fiala, the Czech prime minister whose party is a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists, has endorsed the names on the table.

“It is crucial for the Czech Republic that the distribution respects not only political but also geographical balance. The names that have been proposed so far meet these criteria,” he wrote on social media.

Furthermore, I know all of them personally, they have a positive relationship with the Czech Republic and I have very good experience working with them,” he added.

Updated

EU leaders discuss top jobs

The EU’s 27 heads of state and government are now discussing top jobs.

The three jobs on the table: European Commission president, European Council president, and foreign policy chief.

Kaja Kallas, the Estonian prime minister who is slated to become the next high representative for foreign affairs, has left the room and given her vote to the Finnish prime minister, an EU official said.

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president who is seeking a second term, also left the room.

Updated

French pre-election debate ends

The debate has ended.

France will hold the first round of elections on Sunday.

Jordan Bardella called on voters to turn the page and break with Macronism, listing security, control of immigration and purchasing power as his priorities.

Updated

Olivier Faure told voters to choose hope.

Gabriel Attal, in his conclusion, said that behind the numbers and statement what is at the heart of the election is values, criticising both the far-right and the hard-left elements of the left alliance.

Updated

The politicians are once again interrupting and speaking over each other.

Asked about the rise in homophobia in France, Gabriel Attal – who is the country’s first openly gay leader of the government – said he is revolted.

France does not discriminate, he stressed, adding that he will continue fighting against discrimination and for LGBT rights.

Updated

Gabriel Attal is listing recent initiatives for boosting women’s safety.

The far-right can’t be trusted on women’s rights, Attal said.

Updated

Olivier Faure stressed equality, and the need to reach real equality between men and women.

Updated

Jordan Bardella said he will defend women’s rights.

The debate is moving on to the issue of women’s rights.

The politicians are debating education policy.

Gabriel Attal has criticised Jordan Bardella over National Rally’s rhetoric on dual nationals.

Bardella had earlier said that if his party wins an absolute majority in parliament, people with dual nationality would be excluded from “the most strategic posts of state”, which would be reserved for French citizens.

Updated

Olivier Faure and Jordan Bardella are clashing over immigration.

Updated

The debate is heated, with the politicians speaking over each other.

The far-right National Rally’s Jordan Bardella said he believes the current realities of immigration are not tenable.

The party has said it intends to scrap nationality rights for children born and raised in France by foreign parents.

Updated

The French pre-election debate is moving to the themes of immigration and security.

Updated

Gabriel Attal has criticised both Jordan Bardella and Olivier Faure over energy policy.

There’s a need to invest in both nuclear and renewable energy, Attal said.

Jordan Bardella has called for investing more in nuclear energy.

The French debate is moving to the issue of the environment and ecology.

Meanwhile at the EU leaders’ summit…

After their discussion on the Middle East, the leaders updated their draft written conclusions, “recalling the need to implement the ICJ Order of 24 May 2024, the European Council expresses deep concern about the consequences on the civilian population of the ongoing ground operations in Rafah,” according to a document seen by the Guardian.

The leaders also updated the draft to state that the council “welcomes the sustained efforts by Jordan and Egypt to de-escalate the crisis, including the humanitarian conference held in Jordan on 11 June 2024.”

One issue under discussion is VAT. The National Rally has argued in favour of reducing VAT on electricity, gas, heating oil and fuel.

The debate is moving on to issues impacting citizens’ daily lives – including consumer prices.

The mood of the French pre-election debate is combative, with politicians repeatedly interrupting each other.

Updated

Jordan Bardella, from the far-right National Rally, said that the prime minister has a budgetary role when it comes to the military.

He said his position is support for Ukraine and avoiding an escalation with Russia.

I will not let Russian imperialism absorb an allied state like Ukraine

Bardella also said he is opposed to sending longer range missiles to Ukraine that could hit Russian territory.

“If I am prime minister tomorrow, French soldiers will not be sent to Ukraine,” he said.

Updated

Olivier Faure, from the left-wing New Popular Front, called for continuing to support Ukraine.

But he also criticised Emmanuel Macron, who had refused to rule out sending ground troops to Ukraine.

Updated

The debate is now moving to the subject of Ukraine.

Updated

Olivier Faure called for cohesion and justice.

Updated

Bardella and Attal clash at French pre-election debate

Jordan Bardella said he would re-establish the authority of the state.

Gabriel Attal responded that Bardella can’t present himself as a uniter when his program includes stigmatisation. The prime minister also accused members of the National Rally of engaging in hate speech.

Bardella denied this.

The two began going back and forth, with the moderator trying to interject.

Updated

The French far-right National Rally’s Jordan Bardella called the upcoming election decisive.

He said he wants to become the prime minister of all French people, and that he wants to unite the country.

Bardella said he wants to put daily life in focus: purchasing power and security.

The far-right politician said his government would include people from outside the National Rally.

Updated

Gabriel Attal, France’s prime minister and a Macron ally, says in the debate that citizens have sent a clear message in the European elections.

Citizens care about purchasing power and governance, he said.

Updated

French debate begins

Jordan Bardella, Gabriel Attal and Olivier Faure are now debating on France 2.

Stay tuned.

Updated

Who’s debating in France tonight?

The far-right National Rally will be represented by Jordan Bardella.

Emmanuel Macron’s camp will be represented by the prime minister, Gabriel Attal.

And the left-wing popular front will be represented by the socialists’ Olivier Faure.

Updated

As EU leaders debate their strategic agenda, Petr Fiala, the Czech prime minister, said that “over the next five years, the European Union must focus on security and competitiveness.”

“We need to tackle migration effectively, cut red tape and reduce the amount of regulations that affect citizens and businesses,” he said.

French politicians arrive for pre-election debate

Meanwhile in France, politicians are arriving for this evening’s debate.

EU leaders are now discussing the bloc’s strategic agenda for the coming years, after having wrapped up talks on Ukraine, the Middle East and defence, according to an EU official.

Back here at the EU leaders’ summit, the focus of the discussion is the Middle East.

After meeting with EU leaders, the Ukrainian president headed over to Nato.

“The key focus was on preparations for the NATO Washington Summit. We expect decisions to enhance the Alliance’s role in coordinating security assistance and training for Ukrainian troops, as well as long-term financial commitments to ensure stable support for Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.

Where is Orbán’s Fidesz going?

Speculation is intensifying about the plans of Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz, which has been unable to join the European Conservatives and Reformists – led by Giorgia Meloni – and is still politically homeless on the European stage.

Asked about reports that Fidesz is seeking to create a grouping together with Robert Fico’s Smer, Andrej Babiš’s ANO and possibly even Poland’s Law and Justice, Balázs Orbán, the prime minister’s political director, said on the sidelines of the summit that he cannot confirm any party names and “at the moment negotiations are ongoing.”

“Our goal is for there to be a right-wing group which opposes this pact that is being sealed now, and which can represent the right-wing sovereignist opinions without compromises.”

Asked if the ECR and far-right Identity and Democracy would not be good for Fidesz, he said: “we don’t want to join.”

Updated

Far-right National Rally at 36%, New Popular Front at 29%: poll

A new poll by IFOP, published this afternoon, puts the far-right National Rally at 36% for Sunday’s first round of the election in France. It is followed by the left-wing New Popular Front at 29%.

Emmanuel Macron’s allies are at 21%, according to the poll.

With only days to go until the closely-watched election, representatives of three political groups – Gabriel Attal, Jordan Bardella and Olivier Faure – will debate this evening on France 2.

Meanwhile, EU leaders are meeting in Brussels, where the French election is not formally a matter for discussion but could end up having an impact on policymaking over the coming months.

Stay tuned for coverage of the debate later today.

Updated

Here’s the full text of the joint security commitments agreed between the European Union and Ukraine today.

The European Union and Ukraine share common values, namely democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, as well as shared interests in peace, security, stability and prosperity.

Committed to these common values and interests, and in line with European Council Conclusions and the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine of 12 July 2023, the European Union and its Member States will contribute, for the long term and together with partners, to security commitments to Ukraine, which will help Ukraine to defend itself, resist destabilisation efforts and deter acts of aggression in the future.

Updated

Slovakia’s president, Peter Pellegrini, said he had a “productive good-neighbourly debate” with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Pellegrini is filling in for Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, at the summit.

The Fico government has raised eyebrows in Europe for its rhetoric opposing military aid to Ukraine, as well as moves critics say undermine the rule of law and media freedom.

“We reflected on the recent joint meeting of our countries’ governments and discussed my plans for a full-fledged visit to Ukraine. I assured my Ukrainian counterpart that Slovakia wishes for a soon and just peace for Ukraine,” Pellegrini said.

'Our support is not a blank check', socialist leader says

The leader of the Socialists and Democrats group in the European parliament, Iratxe García, has said that “we call EU leaders to deliver and to nominate the President of the next European Commission.”

“The candidate has to show a clear commitment with our agenda and priorities: a social and climate genda, rule of law, defense and security, housing and workers’ rights,” she added, stressing that “our support is not a blank check.”

Roberta Metsola, the European parliament president, told reporters at the summit that she does not fear any backsliding on commitments made to Ukraine.

Hungary’s Viktor Orbán has hinted at his enthusiasm about a possible strong performance of France’s far-right in Sunday’s election.

But just a few years ago, in 2019, he sounded very different in an interview with Bernard-Henri Lévy in the Atlantic.

“Are you thinking of Marine Le Pen?”

Hearing this, he stiffens, and his laughter disappears.

“Absolutely not! I have nothing at all to do with Madame Le Pen. Nothing.”

“Why not?”

“Because Laurent Wauquiez warned me that she was a red line.”

“Laurent Wauquiez?”

“A friend of mine. I have a lot of friends in France, you know.”

“Such as?”

He gestures as if listing them.

“Nicolas Sarkozy, of course. Jacques Chirac, who has always greeted me very warmly. And Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, a touchstone, whom I try to see whenever I’m in Paris.”

But I come back to Le Pen.

“Do you mean to suggest that if these French friends weren’t cautioning you, you would seek an alliance with Marine Le Pen?”

His response bursts forth without any hesitation.

“No. I would not ally with her even so.”

“Once again, why not?”

“Because she’s not in power.”

Updated

'Sometimes the soup is not eaten at the same temperature that it is being served', outgoing Belgian PM says

Belgium’s outgoing prime minister Alexander De Croo has dismissed criticism of a deal between Europe’s three pro-European political groups on the EU’s top jobs.

Arriving at the summit, De Croo, a liberal, who leads a seven-party coalition government in Belgium, said finding agreement between different political forces was “how democracy works”.

You have to look at what is a coalition of political groups that can work together… because what we need in the next five years is political stability and being able to act fast.

Democracy is not only about blocking, democracy is about who wants to work together and those three political groups are willing to work together for the benefit of all Europeans.

Asked about Giorgia Meloni’s angry speech to the Italian parliament on Wednesday, De Croo turned to a Dutch proverb. “Sometimes the soup is not eaten at the same temperature that it is being served,” he said. This “basically means yesterday was yesterday, let’s listen [to] what is being said around the table today”.

Updated

Czech, German and Polish leaders call for more support for countries with Ukrainian refugees

Petr Fiala, the Czech prime minister, has said that together with the German chancellor and Polish prime minister “we are calling on the Commission to speed up the launch of financial support for the countries with the largest numbers of Ukrainian refugees.”

'No Europe without Italy': EU leaders launch charm offensive to win over Meloni

Centre-right EU leaders arriving in Brussels have begun a charm offensive to appease Italy’s Eurosceptic prime minister Giorgia Meloni, who was excluded from a deal on the EU’s top jobs between pro-European parties.

Ahead of the summit EU leaders from six countries representing the three pro-European political groups agreed to nominate Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as European Commission president, and split two other key posts between the Socialists and centrist Renew group.

Polish prime minister Donald Tusk, a lead negotiator for the centre-right European People’s Party, said “no one respects the prime minister, Giorgia Meloni and Italy more than I do”.

He suggested her dissatisfaction was based on a misunderstanding, adding: “Sometimes we need specific political platforms to ease the process”.

And he said:

There is no Europe without Italy and there is no decision without Prime Minister Meloni.

A European Council decision on the appointment of the new European Commission president does not require unanimity, but it would be seen as a setback if a large, founding member state such as Italy opposed the proposal.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek prime minister, and fellow EPP negotiator, struck a similar tone, saying he was “reasonably optimistic” of an agreement on the jobs during the ongoing European Council.

This proposal is a proposal that reflects the overwhelming majority of the council members.. It was never our intention neither to exclude anyone nor offend anyone.

Updated

The EU disbursed €1.9 billion under the Ukraine facility “to keep the Ukrainian state running as you fight for freedom,” the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said.

“A lasting & sustainable peace is essential for Europe’s stability. Let’s keep striving towards it,” wrote Malta’s Robert Abela.

“Dear Volodymyr, Ukraine’s future is the European Union,” wrote the Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson.

The conversation everyone is wondering about.

'European voters have been deceived,' Hungarian prime minister says

Viktor Orbán has reiterated his opposition to the top jobs deal reached by the European People’s party, socialists and Renew Europe.

“Our destiny is a shared one,” the European parliament president, Roberta Metsola, said as Ukraine’s president holds talks with EU leaders.

'This is Europe’s historic choice': Zelenskiy addresses EU leaders

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking at a session with the EU’s 27 heads of state and government, said he is “grateful” that Europe has maintained unity.

“The world has seen Europe’s effectiveness,” he said, thanking leaders for opening accession talks with Ukraine. “This is Europe’s historic choice,” he said.

The Ukrainian leader added:

I’m convinced that every European nation that shares common European values should be part of the European family. This is true for Ukraine, this is true for Moldova, really for the peoples of the Balkans, Georgia’s – I’m sure Georgia’s moment will come. And I’m sure that there will be decisions regarding Belarus, because it’s also a European nation that should be in a united Europe in the future.

“We hope that the next steps will not be delayed,” he said, stressing that “Ukraine is ready to go through all the necessary steps.”

The existing pressure on Russia is “not enough,” he underscored.

The president also stressed the need to fulfil all promises, pointing to funding and logistics. “As soon as possible,” he urged.

He also spoke of air defence capabilities and stressed the need to protect Kharkiv and other cities from Russian guided bombs. “Our long range strikes and modern air defence are the key to stopping this terror,” he said.

On Russian frozen assets, the president said he is “grateful” for Europe’s decision to provide Ukraine with resources.

He also called for strengthening sanctions against Russia and preventing sanctions on oligarchs from being lifted.

Updated

The European Council president, Charles Michel, said in a session with Ukraine’s president that “we know and understand what’s at stake, we are very impressed with your leadership.”

Orbán says Hungary won't support top jobs deal

Speaking to reporters at the summit, Hungary’s Viktor Orbán said the agreement reached among the centre-right, socialists and Renew Europe on the EU’s top jobs is “shameful.”

Hungary cannot support this deal, he said, criticising in particular the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen.

The top jobs, however, do not require a unanimous vote, and von der Leyen could win the European Council’s support without Hungary.

Asked if he will miss Mark Rutte, who is attending his last European Council and will be taking over in October as Nato’s secretary-general, Orbán said: “It would be an exaggeration.”

Asked if the French elections are overshadowing the summit, the Hungarian leader said they are giving it sunshine.

Updated

Signing ceremony underway

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen are now signing an agreement with Ukraine.

Updated

'All 27 are equally important', German chancellor says amid Meloni's concerns

The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has said the decision to back Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as European Commission president would be discussed carefully with all 27 leaders, Reuters reported.

“We have reached a political understanding” among the European Parliament’s three main centrist groups,” Scholz said.

“That’s just one position. We will discuss this carefully and fairly. All 27 are equally important. That is also important to me. But we have made it easier to reach a decision,” he said.

The comments came after the Italian leader, Giorgia Meloni, expressed her frustration with the process.

Updated

Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni could be seen chatting as they walked together to the leaders’ family photo.

Updated

'Clear messages' from elections, Metsola says

Roberta Metsola, the European parliament president, said when arriving at the summit that “2.5 weeks ago we had European elections, we got pretty clear messages from those elections, and now we have to make sure that we implement the political message into our programme.”

“That means that we need to renew our focus on competitiveness, on security, on defence, and also on making sure that nobody is left behind in the digital and green transitions – those were pretty clear messages to us,” she said.

Updated

'Suspend the Hungarian Presidency': 20,000 people raise concerns about Orbán

Daniel Freund, a German Green MEP, has sent a letter with 20,000 signatures to the European Council president calling for the upcoming Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU to be suspended.

“Together with 20.000 citizens, we, the undersigned Members of the European Parliament, ask you to officially suspend the Hungarian Presidency of the Council, which is currently set to begin on July 1st, 2024,” he wrote.

Hungary is set to take over the presidency on July 1, despite years-long concerns about democratic backsliding at home and the government’s friendly links to Moscow and Beijing.

In the letter, seen by the Guardian, Freund wrote:

It would be extremely harmful for the reputation of our Union, if the current Hungarian government would represent us Europeans in any capacity, just after the European elections. The EU has officially frozen funds under the Rule of Law Conditionality Mechanism due to the high levels of corruption in Hungary. Over the years, the Orbán government has also undermined their elections, the Rule of Law, and media freedom in Hungary.

On the European level, the Orbán government has compared the European Union with a dictatorship. They published posters across the country with bombs bearing the EU flag, when sanctions against Russia were passed. At the time when imperialist dictator Putin is bombing Ukraine, an EU candidate country, Orbán went out of his way to China just to be able to shake hands with him.

It is time the EU stands up against the bullying of a government that clearly has issues subscribing to the most fundamental of our European principles and values. Hungary in its current state would never pass the accession criteria to join the EU. Its criminal leadership should therefore not be allowed to represent the Union.

Key event

Josep Borrell, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs, said when arriving at the summit that this council “is especially important because we are going to sign with president Zelenskiy the security commitments with European Union.”

Europe has to make up for lost time on defence, Borrell noted, adding that it’s not going to be easy.

Addressing the situation in the Middle East, Borrell said there is “strong concern.”

“We see starvation continues, bombing continues, humanitarian support is not entering into Gaza,” he said.

The high representative also pointed to violence in the West Bank and the situation in the north.

“Association Council cannot be business as usual,” he said, referring to the EU-Israel association council.

Updated

The European People’s party should continue to lead, the Croatian prime minister, Andrej Plenković, said ahead of the leaders’ summit.

'Clear consensus' for von der Leyen, Harris says

Ireland’s Simon Harris said when arriving at the summit that when it comes to the European Council’s choice for next European Commission president “there’s absolutely no doubt, there is a clear a consensus that that will be Ursula von der Leyen.”

He said the name of Ireland’s next commissioner is “settled.”

On the Middle East, Harris did:

I do not believe we are using all of the levers at our disposal as a European Union to bring about maximum pressure to create an immediate ceasefire.

Updated

Harris underscores Ukraine support, EU competitiveness

Simon Harris, the Irish leader, said he is “very pleased that we’re taking a historic step forward today in the fact that the European Council will of course be discussing Ukraine’s membership of the European Union, having had the intergovernmental conference in recent days.”

“Looking forward to welcoming president Zelenskiy here to Brussels today as well, as another symbol of the ongoing solidarity that the European Union will continue to show with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”

Harris also stressed that he is looking forward to talks on competitiveness.

He also said that today he believes “we will bring finality – from the Council’s point of view – for the three top roles in the European institutions for the next period of time.”

Updated

Zelenskiy to sign security agreements in Brussels

“We will sign three security agreements, including one with the EU as a whole,” Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced as he arrived for a summit with European leaders in Brussels.

“For the first time, this agreement will enshrine the commitment of all 27 Member States to provide Ukraine with extensive support, regardless of any internal institutional changes. Each step we take brings us closer to our historic goal of peace and prosperity in our common European home,” he said.

Asked if he’s concerned about the consequences of France’s upcoming elections, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said in Brussels that he hopes that most countries “will be on right side of history, on our side.”

He also said Ukraine wants to prepare a plan to put on the table at a second peace summit.

Updated

'We have to work on next steps': Zelenskiy arrives at Brussels summit

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has arrived at the summit.

Standing alongside Charles Michel, he said:

Thanks to you and of course to all the leaders of the EU for such historic outcome. We waited for this long period of time, yes. And everybody – civilians and of course our heroes on the battlefield – you know that how we want to be in the EU.

Now we see this strong, historic step forward. And thank you very much for this support and for this outcome, opening negotiations. It’s very important for all of us, for all Ukraine, believe me.

And of course, we have to work on next steps.

You always say that we are too quick! But we need… we will discuss today with leaders about it, our next steps.

He also pointed to “urgent things”, stressing the need for more air defence.

Updated

EU leaders to discuss Ukraine

EU leaders this afternoon will discuss the latest in Ukraine with Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president.

In his invitation letter to the EU’s 27 heads of state and government, Charles Michel, the European Council president, wrote:

Concretely, our meeting will kick off on Thursday 27 June at 2pm with an exchange with President Zelenskyy. This will be an opportunity to discuss the situation on the ground, but also take note of some achievements since our last meeting.

In particular, this European Council will be an opportunity to welcome the adoption of negotiating frameworks and the holding of Intergovernmental Conferences with Ukraine, Moldova and Montenegro. These are historic steps in supporting these countries’ respective path towards European membership.

Furthermore, we have been ambitious and bold in channelling the extraordinary revenue from immobilised Russian assets to support Ukraine this year. For the following years, together with partners, we will secure loans for Ukraine for an additional EUR 50 billion.

It is also imperative that we intensify our military support to Ukraine, focusing on air defence, ammunition, and missiles. Additionally, we must continue to rally broad international support for a just peace in Ukraine based on the UN Charter.

Welcome to the blog

Good afternoon and welcome to a special edition of the Europe blog, coming to you from the European Council summit in Brussels.

Today, the EU’s 27 heads of state and government are expected to discuss the situation in Ukraine – and make a decision on the bloc’s next top leaders.

Send tips and comments to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.

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