The European Council has issued an invitation letter setting out the agenda for its 23 October meeting in Brussels, which is planned as a one-day session. Leaders will focus on stepping up support for Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia, advancing European defence readiness by 2030, and addressing competitiveness through simplification, the climate transition and digital sovereignty. On Ukraine, discussions will cover reconfirming multi-year financial support and considering options linked to Russia’s immobilised assets, alongside a stocktake of efforts to further raise economic pressure on Russia, with President Zelenskyy expected to be heard at the start of the debate. Defence talks are intended to translate recent work into commitments and concrete decisions on capability projects and governance, drawing on an upcoming Commission and High Representative roadmap on defence readiness 2030, with an emphasis on empowering Defence Ministers for implementation and reinforcing the European Defence Agency. An inclusive-format Euro Summit will include European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe to discuss the economic situation, the international role of the euro and, in that context, the digital euro. The agenda also includes a leaders’ discussion on access to affordable housing to inform the Commission’s upcoming European Affordable Housing Plan, a debate on how the EU can support efforts toward a two-state-solution-based peace in Gaza and reconstruction, and a further review of migration priority files, with a letter expected from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The meeting is scheduled to start at 10:00 with the traditional exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament.

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