The EU is holding a special summit as internal rifts begin to form.

The EU is facing the risk of internal divisions. Photo: Consilium EU

The EU held a special summit as internal rifts began to form over the Ukraine war.

On May 30, European Union leaders held a two-day special summit in Brussels to discuss the Ukraine war, energy issues, and defense, amidst growing signs of fracturing in the bloc's unity regarding responses to the conflict in Ukraine.

In an invitation letter sent to the heads of state of the 27 member countries of the European Union, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, announced that during the two-day special summit in Brussels, European leaders would discuss four important topics: the war in Ukraine, defense policy, energy policy, and food security.

Among these, the developments in the war in Ukraine, as well as European policies towards Russia and Ukraine, will be the central issues, occupying a large portion of the discussion time, especially the sixth package of sanctions that the European Union intends to impose on Russia.

Currently, after nearly a month of preparation and discussion, EU countries have yet to reach a consensus on the strongest measure of this sanctions package: a complete embargo on Russian oil. In the latest revised draft on May 27th, the European Commission proposed a scenario that would continue to allow countries to import Russian oil via pipelines but prohibit imports by sea.

This proposal was put forward by France to address the objections of Hungary, a landlocked EU country that relies 65% on oil imports from Russia via the Druzhba pipeline. However, if the EU approves this draft, some other countries may object, arguing that Hungary is being treated more favorably.

Speaking at the Hannover Fair on May 29, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck assessed that the solidarity the European Union showed in the early stages of the war in Ukraine was beginning to falter.

Last week, European Council President Charles Michel also acknowledged that maintaining unity among European countries is not an easy task.

“We are trying to work creatively and constructively to come up with some drafts and proposals aimed at protecting European unity. This is not easy, it is very difficult, but we are not giving up. We have had many discussions and I really hope that we are able to demonstrate that unity once again. This special summit on May 30th and 31st will be a very important moment to show that,” said the President of the European Council.

In addition to reaching a consensus on the oil embargo against Russia, at the special summit, European leaders will also have to discuss efforts to support Ukraine financially, militarily, and humanitarianally. Furthermore, EU countries will have to discuss new defense policy priorities, increasing investment in defense equipment, and narrowing the gap in military spending between member states.

On the energy issue, European leaders will discuss the “RePowerEU” plan, which aims to reduce the EU's dependence on Russian oil, gas, and coal supplies.

Finally, the issue of food security will also be addressed, given that the war in Ukraine has led to shortages of wheat, fertilizer, and seeds, and threatens to push some regions of the world, such as North Africa and the Middle East, into famine. Europe fears that if famine occurs in North Africa, it could face new waves of refugees.