Prime Minister Orpo: the European Council must agree on continuing its strong support for Ukraine

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo will attend the Western Balkans Summit on Wednesday 13 December and the European Council meeting on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 December in Brussels.

“The most important issue for the European Council is to reaffirm the EU’s strong support for Ukraine for as long as necessary. Ukraine is in need of both financial and military support. Another important issue is opening negotiations on EU membership. We must not postpone these decisions. Ukraine cannot afford to wait” says Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

The other items on the agenda at the European Council are the Middle East, the mid-term revision of the multiannual financial framework, EU enlargement, security and defence, and migration. The Council will also discuss topical issues including hybrid attacks, antisemitism and racism, and the Strategic Agenda of the next European Commission.

The EU–Western Balkans Summit will focus on deepening cooperation, promoting gradual integration, creating an economic foundation for the future, mitigating the impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, reinforcing security and improving resilience. The previous summit was held a year ago in Tirana, the capital of Albania. 

Inquiries: Tuomas Tikkanen, Special Adviser (EU Affairs), tel. +358 40 523 5768, and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications for EU Affairs, tel. +358 40 537 07 33, Prime Minister’s Office.