European Council ends without deal on EU budget and Ukraine funding

The two-day European Council in Brussels ended without a deal on the EU's next long-term budget and without agreement on the funding package for Ukraine, while migration dominated talks and pushed enlargement off the centre of the agenda.

Leaders decided budget negotiations will continue in the coming weeks under the European Council president Kosta, but none of the member states expect a final deal by the end of the year. "To reach an agreement we must keep national contributions at a reasonable level while at the same time preserve our ambitions to deliver the common priorities. For that to be possible, it is of fundamental importance to consolidate work on the new own resources," Kosta said.

Migration took priority over enlargement

Migration was one of the most prominent items, even though most member states reported falls in irregular arrivals and some have historic lows; incidents such as the one in Ceuta nevertheless alarm capitals across the bloc. "That is precisely why, as a Commission, we will propose a new European emergency framework. It will provide the necessary means for member states to respond quickly to serious threats at our external borders and to preserve our internal security," said President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Discussions on continued support for Ukraine and investment in common security were held, but leaders failed to agree on the delivery of the roughly 70 billion euros Ukraine needs for next year.

Enlargement debate was largely overshadowed by Croatia's objections concerning Montenegro's accession. Leaders accepted Zagreb's demands, and Prime Minister Plenkovic claimed his country had acted far more constructively than some other member states, subtly alluding to the case of North Macedonia. As a result, the final conclusions omitted mention of other candidate countries beyond reaffirming previous language that enlargement is a geostrategic investment in Europe's peace, stability and prosperity.

Negotiations on the budget and other outstanding items will resume in the weeks ahead as leaders seek compromises ahead of the year-end timelines.

Photo: press material from the event