Thewesternbalkans.
According to different sources from the European Union, including the remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the European Council meeting of 23 October 2025, the most important institution of the EU has taken following decisions:
Ukraine.
The President of the European Council said that the EU will support Ukraine as much as necessary for as long as it takes. On 23 of October the Council discussed three main issues:
First: Ensure that Ukraine’s financial needs will be covered for the next two years. The Council has asked the Commission to put forward ‘options’ as soon as possible, so that Ukraine has the resources it needs to continue defending itself and fight for a just and lasting peace in 2026 and 2027, if it’s necessary.
But the technical, legal and financial aspects of Europe’s support need to be worked on, and member states will return to this issue in the December European Council.
Second, it has been adopted the 19th sanctions package, which will increase the pressure on Russia and further damage its war machine.
Third, member states agreed to strengthen measures and coordinate actions to disrupt Russia’s shadow fleet.
“No matter the circumstances, our message is clear: Europe will not let Ukraine down” Antonio Costa said.
The texts concerning Ukraine have been adopted by 26 member states excluding Hungary.
European defence.
The European Council calls for Member State-led work on all the priority capability areas identified at EU level to be operationalised, with the support of the European Defence Agency (EDA) and on the basis of a coherent overall approach, building on the Strategic Compass, so that Europe develops the full spectrum of modern capabilities needed, in full coherence with NATO.
European priorities now are clear, starting with anti-drone and air defence.
- step 1 will be to finalise by the end of this year the “capability coalitions” that will drive these projects forward;
- step 2 will be to launch and advance on concrete projects in early 2026.
Member states will be the driving force to push European join efforts forward, with a bigger role for the Ministers of defence and the European Defence Agency.
“Europe’s defence is about spending smarter, working together and delivering for our citizens. This is how we build Europe’s sovereignty. The Roadmap on Defence Readiness that the European Commission and the High Representative presented today was a decisive building block for that” said Antonio Kosta.
Competitiveness and climate.
Being at the forefront of climate action, Europe is aiming to turn this challenge into economic opportunities and positioning itself as a leader in the technologies of the future.
During the meeting member states reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement and also agreed that they need to be pragmatic and flexible in the European strategy. To make sure that Europe’s climate ambitions and the competitiveness of the economy and industries, go hand in hand.
Looking ahead to 2040, the European Council has agreed a clear and realistic path to achieve the climate targets:
- by making sure the transition is just, and affordable for citizens and businesses;
- by supporting the modernisation and decarbonisation of the industries;
- by following the principle of technological neutrality, to make sure that the EU achieves the objectives in the most cost-efficient way;
- and, by guaranteeing that the transition contributes to a strong European industrial base.
The EU will encourage innovation, will invest in clean and digital tech, ensuring Europe stays ahead in the global race.
As Mario Draghi’s report showed a year ago, Europe needs to become more competitive to secure its future. The clean and digital transition, along with the simplification efforts are key parts of the European agenda to ensure Europe’s international competitiveness.
The European Council has offered political guidance for the preparations of the European Affordable Housing Plan by the European Commission.
Comments: The European Council delivered concrete measures on Ukraine, defence, climate and competitiveness, and opened a new cycle for housing policy. Even Moldova was in the European Council agenda.
But not the Western Balkans. Not a single word for the most interesting and sensible region from the security and economy point of view for the European Union. Despite many summits have been organised last couple of mounts under the different initiatives and processes.
