aoiseach Micheál Martin has strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, calling them "collective punishment" and urging Europe to apply maximum pressure on Israel to halt the bombings.
Speaking in Brussels ahead of an EU summit, Martin warned that the resumption of airstrikes had led to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians and shattered hopes of peace following the brief ceasefire.
Martin accused Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz of making statements that amount to the collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population.
He also reiterated the need for all hostages to be released and for the region to move toward the next phase of the ceasefire agreement.
The EU summit in Brussels is dominated by several major global crises, including:
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that while the EU High Representative Kaja Kallas has proposed a €40bn military support package for Ukraine, it remains under negotiation and may end up as a lower figure.
With multiple global crises unfolding, this EU summit is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in recent years.
Speaking in Brussels ahead of an EU summit, Martin warned that the resumption of airstrikes had led to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians and shattered hopes of peace following the brief ceasefire.
Martin accused Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz of making statements that amount to the collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population.
He also reiterated the need for all hostages to be released and for the region to move toward the next phase of the ceasefire agreement.
EU Summit Agenda: Ukraine, Gaza, and Economic Challenges
The EU summit in Brussels is dominated by several major global crises, including:
- The breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza and the rising death toll.
- US-backed efforts to initiate a peace process between Russia and Ukraine.
- The impact of President Trump’s escalating trade war with Europe.
Ukraine: Cautious Optimism for Ceasefire Talks
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will join the summit via video to brief EU leaders on his call with President Trump and the upcoming technical ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia.
- While some progress has been made toward a limited ceasefire on airstrikes targeting energy infrastructure, EU officials remain deeply skeptical about Putin’s true intentions.
- EU leaders are expected to endorse the European Commission's White Paper on Defence, which outlines increased military spending to support Ukraine and counter potential Russian aggression.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that while the EU High Representative Kaja Kallas has proposed a €40bn military support package for Ukraine, it remains under negotiation and may end up as a lower figure.
EU Economy and Trade Challenges
- Paschal Donohoe, as Eurogroup President, and ECB President Christine Lagarde will brief EU leaders on the state of the European economy.
- The summit will also discuss a report by Mario Draghi, Lagarde’s predecessor, on how to boost European competitiveness and advance the Capital Markets Union to create deeper and more liquid capital markets.
- Trump’s escalating trade war is already affecting European economies, adding pressure on leaders to respond.
- The Gaza conflict and the humanitarian crisis.
- Ukraine’s ongoing war and its implications for Europe.
- The rise in global instability, including recent violence in Syria.
What’s Next?
- Gaza crisis: EU leaders will debate how to increase diplomatic pressure on Israel to halt airstrikes and resume peace efforts.
- Ukraine ceasefire: Talks in Saudi Arabia next week could determine whether a wider ceasefire deal is possible.
- EU-US relations: With Trump’s policies straining transatlantic ties, Europe may accelerate military and economic self-reliance.
With multiple global crises unfolding, this EU summit is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in recent years.
