“I look forward to joining an informal meeting of the European Council in Copenhagen. As the people of Ukraine continue to endure relentless and brutal bombardment by Russia, it is vital that the EU keeps up its efforts to strengthen our economic, political and military support for Ukraine. Our focus remains on achieving a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and therefore leaders will consider how to increase pressure on Russia to agree to a ceasefire and meaningful negotiations, including by stepping up sanctions and other economic measures. Leaders will also take stock of the significant progress made by the Coalition of the Willing on security guarantees for Ukraine and discuss the EU’s contribution. EU membership for Ukraine must be part of a comprehensive set of security guarantees and I will continue to push for the unblocking and acceleration of Ukraine’s accession negotiations. Ukraine is doing the hard work of reforms. The EU must also do our part.

“The ongoing onslaught against Ukraine and its violation of the territory of EU Member States in recent weeks only underlines the serious threat posed by Russia to our collective security. I look forward to continuing discussions on how to ensure that we have the capabilities we need to counter the threats we face and what more we can do together. This can also help with our efforts to enhance our defence capabilities at home, particularly in the areas of cyber defence and maritime security. We are doing so in full respect for our policy of military neutrality which is fully understood and respected by our EU partners.

“I will also be using the opportunity to discuss with my fellow EU leaders the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and President Trump’s proposed plan to end the war. Publication of the plan is an opportunity to change the narrative – to end the killing, to secure the release of all remaining hostages and get much needed humanitarian assistance into Gaza. I hope it will bear fruit. It is important that the EU, working with our international partners, stand ready to contribute to any process towards lasting peace, building on the outcome of the Two-State solution conference held in New York last week and using all tools available.

“I am also looking forward to joining leaders from across Europe at the European Political Community. It is an important forum to discuss the security and other challenges faced by the wider European continent, including the war in Ukraine and threat from Russia.

“I will co-chair a roundtable on economic security. We cannot disconnect economic security from our wider commitment to the multilateral system and the international rules based order as well as our shared values. Ensuring our connectivity, building our energy infrastructure and independence, investing in our competitiveness, and pursuing an open and fair trade policy are important ways to underpin our collective security.”