Merz meets EU heads of state and government

Brussels (dpa) – Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz is attending an EU summit in Brussels for the first time. The heads of state and government of the 27 EU member states are meeting to discuss developments in the Middle East and continued support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s war of aggression. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will join the summit via video link. The summit aims to adopt another sanctions package against Russia. This 18th package of measures is expected to target Russia’s energy and banking sectors in particular.

With regard to the situation in the Middle East, talks will focus on the EU’s partnership agreement with Israel, following a review report which concluded that Israel’s actions in Gaza violate the principles set out for close cooperation with the EU. “The Federal Government does not support suspending or terminating this agreement,” Merz stated. Other items on the agenda include Europe’s global competitiveness and the ongoing trade dispute with the US administration under President Donald Trump.