Extraordinary EU summit on energy and food security

After the sixth round of Western sanctions against Russia related to the special military operation in Ukraine, European leaders will assess the effectiveness of the sanctions. Within the framework of previous rounds of sanctions, the European Commission (EC) has proposed to ban Russia from exporting oil to Europe, as stated by EC President Ursula von der Leyen on May 4.

In an invitation to European heads of state and governments to attend this extraordinary summit, European Council President Charles Michel stressed that the EU will continue to put pressure on Russia. In addition, the conference will also discuss how best to organize EU support for the reconstruction of Ukraine. This discussion will take place with the participation of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky via videoconference.

The EU’s “Global Gateway” program is also on the agenda of the conference. According to Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank, by implementing the “Global Gateway” strategy, the EU will help Ukraine rebuild after the war through the restoration of road and medical infrastructure.

EC President Ursula von der Leyen speaks to the media in Brussels, March 7, 2022. (Photo: AP)

Faced with high energy costs and disruptions to world energy markets due to Russia-Ukraine conflict, European leaders will consider the possibility of adopting the REPowerEU plan presented by the EC on May 18. The plan aims to diversify energy sources, increase energy savings and accelerate the transition to renewable energy. The REPowerEU plan will allow EU member states to gradually reduce their dependence on Russian fossil fuels.

Before the meeting, there was disagreement among EU countries over Russia’s plan to ban oil imports. Hungary has so far not been willing to support this plan.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict also affects food prices, which has grown exponentially in both Ukraine and other parts of the world dependent on the supply of Ukrainian products. At this conference, European leaders will discuss concrete ways to help Ukraine export its agricultural products, using EU infrastructure.

Finally, the 27 leaders of EU member states will debate the necessary defense investments to strengthen the industrial and technological foundation of European defense.

* Invite readers to watch programs broadcast by Vietnam Television on TV Online and VTVGo!