The meeting of Heads of State and Government of the EU Member States, chaired by Charles Michel, President of the European Council, ends this Tuesday in Brussels.
On the last day of the summit, the leaders of the 27 addressed issues related to defence, energy and food security, after Monday’s focus on the conflict in Ukraine.
At the Council meeting, starting at 10 am, Portugal is represented by the Prime Minister, António Costa.
At the end, a press conference is scheduled with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
The start of the summit was marked by the impasse in the adoption of the sixth package of sanctions against Russia, which includes an embargo -albeit progressive, gradual and with exceptions- on Russian oil imports, rejected by Hungary, given its great dependence.
EU agrees to cut 90% of Russian oil and presents measures to combat dependence on Moscow
But on Monday night, the EU heads of state and government reached an agreement on a Russian oil embargoannounced the President of the European Council, explaining that two-thirds of European imports to Russia are at stake.
After difficult discussions in the EU to advance a gradual and progressive embargo on Russian oil, as proposed by the European Commission almost a month ago, the issue was on the agenda of European leaders, and now changes are being made to the initial proposal, such as the measure that covers two-thirds of European imports of Russian oil, that is, all maritime oil from Russia.
This means that both Hungary and other countries more dependent on Russian oil, such as Slovakia and the Czech Republic, be able to continue importing by land.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday also urged EU member states to overcome “internal disputes” and adopt the sixth package of sanctions against Russia.
Zelensky urges 27 to overcome “internal fights” and approve new sanctions against Russia
“Internal disputes must cease […] Europe must show its strength, because strength is the only argument that Russia understands,” he defended.
Source: Observadora
