The European Union summit commenced at 11 a.m. CET (0900 GMT) on Thursday in Brussels, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy set to join via video link. The gathering comes just a day after NATO’s European allies agreed to a historic increase in defense spending, signaling a strengthened commitment to regional security amid ongoing geopolitical challenges.

European leaders are expected to discuss key issues, including continued support for Ukraine, economic resilience, and energy security. Zelenskyy’s virtual address is anticipated to focus on Ukraine’s military needs and its path toward EU membership, as Kyiv continues to counter Russian aggression.

The summit follows NATO’s landmark decision to boost defense investments, underscoring a unified Western response to rising global tensions. EU officials have emphasized the need for closer coordination between the bloc and NATO to ensure long-term stability.