Overview

• Olaf Scholz concluded his likely final EU summit with a brief 'Tschüss,' reflecting on his tenure and achievements, including Ukraine support and crisis management.
• EU leaders agreed to mobilize 800 billion euros by 2030 to bolster defense capabilities, preparing for potential conflict with Russia and reduced U.S. commitments.
• Hungary blocked new EU decisions on Ukraine aid, leading the other 26 member states to issue a separate declaration supporting Ukraine's sovereignty.
• Southern EU countries expressed reservations about the defense buildup, prioritizing issues like border control and counterterrorism over increased military spending.
• Friedrich Merz is expected to succeed Scholz as German Chancellor by June 2025, potentially influencing Germany's approach to EU policies.