On 19-20 December, EU Heads of State or Government reviewed the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s support for Kyiv, amidst the uncertainty of the new US administration’s approach to the conflict. The European Council also assessed&nbsp;the situation in the Middle East, following the&nbsp;ceasefire in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel and&nbsp;&nbsp;humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Other topics for leaders included the EU’s geopolitical role, crisis prevention and response, and migration management.

The December 2024 European Council was&nbsp;the first chaired by incoming President António Costa, who on 1 December replaced Charles Michel as President. The new European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen also took office on 1 December, following the confirmation vote in plenary on 27 November.

MEPs debated the outcome of the December EU summit with Presidents Costa and von der Leyen on 22 January 2025, focussing on Ukraine, EU-US relations and the EU’s global role.

In his first plenary debate as president of the European Council, António Costa said EU heads of State and Government pledged “to strengthen Ukraine’s position for every scenario. Peace must be the peace chosen by Ukraine and by Ukrainians. For the sake of Ukraine’s security. For the sake of Europe’s security.” He reaffirmed the EU’s support for Ukraine “for as long as necessary, and whatever it takes, for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.”

European Council, 19-20 December 2024

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024: Closing statements by Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, and António COSTA, President of the European Council

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024: MEPs debate

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024: One round of political group speakers

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024: Opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024: Opening statement by António COSTA, President of the European Council

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024: extracts from the debate

EP Plenary session - Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024

Strasbourg's Plenary session through the lens . Week 4

Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, following her participation at the European Council meeting: Q&A

Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, following her participation at the European Council meeting: opening remarks

European Council meeting (19/12) - Press Conference

European Council meeting (19/12)

Debate on the conclusions of December European Council

Debate on December European Council

Doorstep Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates at the European Council meeting (19/12): arrival, doorstep and extracts from the press conference

EPP leaders meet ahead of the European Council meeting: arrivals and doorsteps

PES leaders meet ahead of the European Council meeting: arrivals and doorsteps

Renew Europe leaders meet ahead of the European Council meeting: arrivals and doorsteps

Patriots.eu leaders meet ahead of the European Council meeting: arrivals and doorsteps

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024: Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, EC for Trade and Economic Security, and Barna ZSIGMOND, Hungarian Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024: MEPs Debate part 2

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024: MEPs Debate part 1

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024: extracts from the debate

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024: Opening statement by Barna ZSIGMOND, Hungarian Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission

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