EU leaders meet in Brussels on budget, Ceuta migration and Ukraine

Budget talks start stalled

Leaders begin two days of talks in Brussels on Thursday, 15 October, with the 2028-2034 multiannual budget at the top of the list. Ireland, which holds the rotating Council presidency, put forward a proposal in early October with cuts of more than 140,000 million euros. Frugal states want deeper reductions, while southern members reject the cut outright, and formal negotiations are set to open during the summit. António Costa wants a deal before the end of the year so the new framework can take effect in January 2028, but many diplomats doubt that timetable will hold. Several countries are comfortable with delay and prefer more time to negotiate. Leaders have two more scheduled meetings before the year closes, and a possible extraordinary November summit devoted only to the budget is under discussion. Giorgia Meloni told the European Parliament that Italy will sign only a fair deal for Italy, with particular worry about possible cuts to farm, cohesion and fisheries funds.

Ceuta and migration

About 80,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta in late July, and although most returned within 48 hours, several thousand remain in the Spanish city. Giorgia Meloni and Mette Frederiksen, the Italian and Danish prime ministers, criticised the Spanish government's extraordinary regularisation as a pull factor. Italy has since introduced controls on travellers arriving from Spain, and Meloni defended those Schengen checks as routine in the Italian Senate. Draft conclusions recognise Ceuta and Melilla as the EU's only land border with Africa and call for solidarity with Spain, though one draft seen by Europa Press does not name the Ceuta crisis in one of its sections. The Commission has unlocked 114.7 million euros to reinforce the Ceuta border and speed up returns. On Friday, leaders will hold a lunch devoted entirely to migration strategy, where Pedro Sánchez plans to cite a 74% drop in arrivals on the Atlantic route. Some governments want EU money to fund deportation centres like the one Italy built in Albania.

Ukraine and Russia sanctions

Leaders are expected to show a united front on Ukraine despite doubts raised by a shift in US policy. Donald Trump announced a deal with Vladimir Putin for Russia to release diesel supplies to the US and world markets. The EU has approved its largest sanctions package against Russia to date, adding about 1,600 newly sanctioned individuals. On 14 October the Commission announced 2,860 million euros from the 90,000 million euro loan to buy drones, air defence systems, missiles, radars, electronic warfare equipment and munitions. That payment sits within a fund set to mobilise 28,300 million euros in 2026. Ursula von der Leyen accused Russia of stepping up air attacks on civilians and strategic infrastructure. On Tuesday, 13 October, Ukraine opened accession talks on the internal market and competitiveness cluster after Hungary lifted its objections.

Energy prices

Energy prices will be a central topic. The draft conclusions, seen by EL PAÍS, call for a coordinated European response built on specific, temporary measures. Inflation stands at 3.8%, and energy prices have climbed since February, when the conflict in the Persian Gulf began. Energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen warned on 14 October that winter would be hard for some industrial sectors and households, with no sign of improvement in the Middle East. Antonio Costa warned the same day that high and volatile energy prices are squeezing households and businesses and eroding competitiveness. Diplomats agree that more action is needed beyond the measures already on the table, but positions split on what to do next.