European Union leaders have gathered in Brussels for a two-day summit, with the agenda focusing on support for Ukraine, the EU's next long-term budget, and global economic challenges.

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the summit. Costa hailed the opening of the first cluster of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine as a historic step.

Von der Leyen praised Ukraine's reform efforts and claimed that Ukraine is holding the line and even regaining territory, though such assertions remain unverified.

The summit is also addressing the EU's growing trade deficit with China, which now amounts to approximately €1 billion per day. In 2025, China's goods trade surplus with the EU reached €360.6 billion, a 15% increase from 2024, and has expanded further in early 2025.

On the second day, leaders are expected to discuss the EU's next long-term budget for 2028-2034, estimated to be between €1 trillion and €2 trillion.

Source: www.dw.com