EU leaders hold summit to discuss Middle East situation and bloc’s seven-year budget – Europe live

Arriving at the European Council summit, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán said that he rejects current EU budget plans.

The prime minister claimed that the European Commission wants to take more money from member states to spend on migration policy and Ukraine.

“We don’t want to give money to migrants,” he said, while also criticising the current form of proposals for aid to Ukraine.

Hungary’s populist leader Viktor Orbán has been testing the patience of EU leaders for a long time, holding up Sweden’s accession to NATO, blocking support for Ukraine and protesting against new laws on migration.

But his decision to meet and shake hands with Vladimir Putin may be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Ahead of the summit Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas told reporters in Brussels:

“It’s becoming a problem we have to address. We have had different opinions before we have managed to keep unity but it’s getting more difficult regarding Hungary,” she said.

“We are the European Union, we have rules that’s how we make decisions. We don’t really have a strong tool to address [what Hungary does].”

She said she was surprised Hungary continued to take contrary views to the majority of member states and also to remain outside the eurozone despite high inflation.

“Hungary needs the EU,” she said.

She added, however, that she did not think Hungary would block Sweden’s membership of NATO for long.

“I think when Turkey goes [with us] we will probably find the way with Hungary as well,” she said.

As leaders begin gathering at the Council in Brussels, an unusual event will take place outside the summit.

For the first time, an Iranian-Jewish solidarity rally will be held.

Speakers are set to include Yasmine Pahlavi, wife of Reza Pahlavi. Also expected to attend: Iranian pro-democracy supporters and Jewish community leaders. Their goal is to share a message of unity, against terrorism and for democracy.

Arriving at today’s summit, European Council Charles Michel said the gathering is taking place in “difficult times.”

It is “important to demonstrate again that the European Union is united – united to defend our principles, to defend our values,” he said.

That’s why we support Israel, and its right to defend itself, in line with the international law and the humanitarian international law. We condemn Hamas and this violent terrorist attack, and we will discuss how we make sure that there is humanitarian access. We think that civilians must be protected, always and everywhere.

“I am confident that again, we will affirm, express a very strong united position,” he said.

The Council chief also underscored that it’s “key for us to [make] very clear that we support Ukraine for as long as it takes” and that the leaders will discuss how to provide more support.

The heads of state and government, Michel noted, will discuss the issue of Russia’s frozen assets and how to mobilise funds for rebuilding Ukraine.

On the issue of the bloc’s long-term budget, Michel said he is “confident” the meeting will help make progress on the talks, with hope for an agreement by the end of the year.

Heads of state and government from the European Union’s 27 member states will attempt a show of unity today at a summit in Brussels after they appeared to settle on wording on a final communique on the Middle East, ending three days of bickering.

The final draft includes just one page of declarations on the war and the humanitarian crisis which is worsening by the hour.

Bar any final hiccups (any member state can veto the text), leaders will call for “humanitarian corridors and pauses” of the shelling in Gaza to allow food, water and medical supplies to reach Palestinians.

Earlier versions included the phrase “humanitarian pause” was rejected by three countries, it is understood, believed to be German, Czech Republic and Austria, on the grounds that it suggested a permanent cessation to hostilities and would compromise Israel’s right to defend itself from Hamas.

Here’s the schedule for today:

2pm Leaders’ arrival doorsteps

3pm Summit opens

7:30pm Dinner

Press conference TBC

On the agenda:

1. Changes to the bloc’s seven-year budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework. A brief discussion is expected on whether the long term support for Ukraine should be in the overall EU budget or separately. No decision is expected, however, until the December summit.

2. Ukrainian president Vlodymyr Zelenskiy will address the leaders, with a discussion to follow on defence and civic needs as war enters second winter

3. The situation in the Middle East will be discussed over dinner.

And tomorrow, leaders will focus on the economy and competitiveness, as well as migration.

Good afternoon and welcome back to the Europe blog, which today comes to you from the European Council summit in Brussels.

Leaders from the bloc’s 27 countries will soon be arriving for a two-day gathering, with lots of debate expected on everything from the Middle East to the EU’s budget.

Stay tuned and send tips and comments to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.