European leaders meet for summit amid tensions over migration and aid to Ukraine – live
Leaders from dozens of countries will gather in Granada, Spain, today for a meeting of the European Political Community.
The group formally consists of 47 countries – from Ukraine and the UK, European Union members to the western Balkans and Caucasus.
The
EPC was created last year, following a proposal from French president
Emmanuel Macron. The first summit was held in the Czech Republic in
October 2022, and for a second time in Moldova in June this year.
With a few exceptions, heads of state and government from nearly all EPC countries will be in Madrid today.
The summit comes amid growing questions about the future of western aid to Ukraine.
Leaders
are also meeting at a time of tension between Kosovo and Serbia, and as
concerns persist about Azerbaijan and Armenia following Baku’s
offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh and the exodus of Armenian civilians from the area.
US support is not faltering, Zelenskiy says in Granada
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has insisted the US support for Ukraine is not faltering arriving at the European Political Community summit in Granada.
He said: “Biden has 100% support.”
The
Ukrainian leader said the “circumstances are difficult in an election
period for the US” and sometimes are “very strange” but that he was
confident that despite the recent budget decision to exclude defence
budget for Ukraine for 45 days was just a blip.
The main goal for all European leaders gathered at the European Political Community in Granada was to keep Europe united, he added.
“The
main challenge is to save unity in Europe not only in the EU but in all
of Europe,” said Zelenskiy, warning of Russian “disinformation
attacks”.
