This week, EU leaders at a summit debate Ukraine, European defence and security and the next Multiannual Financial Framework; energy ministers debate the Connecting Europe Facility covering the period 2028-2034; the Commission organises a workshop on the future of Artificial Intelligence; and MEPs in plenary award the 2025 Sakharov Prize to Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus and Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia, vote on phasing out Russian natural gas imports, sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements, and changes to deforestation regulation and deal. The week’s events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 15 – 20 December 2025.
Monday 15 December
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
Plenary Session of the European Parliament and committee meetings
Strasbourg, France
Defence readiness omnibus: the committees on defence, industry, environment and internal market will adopt their positions on a series of legislative proposals aimed at simplifying regulations and removing administrative hurdles to boost the EU defence industry. These include measures to encourage joint defence procurement, fast-track permitting procedures for infrastructure projects, ensure that chemical regulations accommodate defence needs, and improve access to financing.
Boosting EU defence: after a debate on Monday, on Tuesday, MEPs are set to approve measures to strengthen Europe’s defence technological and industrial base by channelling EU funding to defence. Also on Tuesday, they will debate two reports on facilitating the movement of troops and military equipment across the EU and preparing European defence for any potential Russian aggression, followed by votes on Wednesday.
Monday 15 December
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Russia | China
Foreign Affairs Council
Brussels
The Council will exchange views on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, after a short intervention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha via videoconference. They will then hold discussions on the situation in the Middle East, including Syria, and China.
Monday 15 December
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Energy
Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council
Brussels
EU energy ministers will seek to reach a partial general approach on the Connecting Europe Facility covering the period 2028-2034. Ministers will also hold a policy debate on the European grids package and exchange views on the energy-security nexus with the NATO Secretary General.
Monday 15 – Wednesday 17 December
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Food security
EU Agri-Food Days
Brussels
This three-day event will offer you the opportunity to network with EU agri-food stakeholders, farmers, civil society, academia and policymakers. Be at the heart of discussions about the latest policy trends, challenges and opportunities in the EU agri-food sector.
Tuesday 16 December
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Russia | Circular economy
Environment Council
Brussels
EU environment ministers are expected to approve conclusions on ‘Europe’s environment – Building a more circular and resilient Europe’. They will also exchange views on the recently adopted EU bioeconomy strategy.
Tuesday 16 December
Council of the EU | Political meetings | General Affairs
General Affairs Council
Brussels
Ministers for EU affairs will continue preparations for the December European Council meeting, and hold a policy debate on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034. In addition, the Council will be invited to approve conclusions on EU enlargement. The Commission will also present its annual progress reports on simplification, implementation and enforcement. The Council is expected to approve a joint declaration on EU legislative priorities for 2026. Finally, the Danish presidency together with the incoming Cyprus presidency will present the roadmap for the 2026 European Semester.
Tuesday 16 December
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
Plenary Session of the European Parliament
Strasbourg, France
2025 Sakharov Prize: at noon, EP President Metsola will award the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli, two journalists imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia, respectively. Before the ceremony, President Roberta Metsola and representatives of both laureates will hold a joint press conference.
Phasing out Russian natural gas imports: MEPs will review a draft new law banning the import of Russian natural gas and seeking to protect the EU’s energy security from supply weaponisation by the Russian Federation. The final vote is on Wednesday. A press conference will take place after the vote.
Simplification: plenary will take final votes to update rules on sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements for companies (followed by a press conference), on simplifying and delaying the application of the EU’s deforestation law, and on more flexibility and support for farmers to comply with the EU’s common agricultural policy rules.
Mercosur/safeguards for agriculture: MEPs will vote on their position on safeguard mechanisms for agricultural imports linked to the trade agreement with Mercosur countries. A press conference is scheduled after the vote.
Affordable housing plan: MEPs and the Commission will discuss how to ensure access to affordable housing across the EU through a dedicated construction strategy and accelerating the renovation of existing homes.
Automotive package: the European Commission will present a new set of measures to boost the EU automotive sector’s competitiveness, after which it will debate the topic with MEPs.
Tuesday 16 December
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Artificial intelligence | Research | Advanced materials
The future of Artificial Intelligence and the implications for Materials Science workshop
Online only
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research & Innovation, and the OECD’s Directorate for Science Technology and Innovation are jointly organising a workshop on the impact of advances in AI on the future of materials science.
Wednesday 17 December
Other bodies and agencies | Campaign launches | Satellite navigation | Space research
Galileo Launch 14
Brussels
Two new Galileo satellites are scheduled for launch from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. This mission, carried out on the fifth flight of Ariane 6, Europe’s new modular heavy-lift launcher, represents another significant step forward for the satellite navigation component of the European Union Space Programme and for Europe’s space strategic autonomy.
Wednesday 17 December
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Western Balkans
EU-Western Balkans summit
Brussels
The summit between EU and Western Balkans leaders will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans and to reconfirm the strategic partnership’s key importance for both regions.
Wednesday 17 December
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
Plenary Session of the European Parliament
Strasbourg, France
December EU summit: MEPs will outline their expectations for the 18-19 December EU summit, in particular on the need to support Ukraine, on transatlantic relations and on EU strategic autonomy, in a debate with the European Commission and the Danish Council Presidency.
Thursday 18 – Friday 19 December
Council of the EU | Political meetings | Ukraine | Defence | Multiannual Financial Framework
European Council
Brussels
EU leaders will discuss Ukraine, Middle East, European defence and security, the next Multiannual Financial Framework, enlargement and reforms, migration, geoeconomy and competitiveness and other items.
