European Council in Brussels, 20-21 October 2022

The European Council, held on 20 and 21 October 2022, addressed three key issues related to the war in Ukraine: Russia’s escalating aggression against Ukraine and the global food security crisis it caused, acts of sabotage against critical infrastructure, as well as the ongoing energy and economic crisis, as consequences of Russia’s weaponization of energy.
Regarding the first issue, the European Council reaffirmed its full support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and will continue to provide strong political, military, and economic support to Ukraine. Concerning critical infrastructure, the European Council called on member states to take urgent and effective measures and cooperate with each other, the Commission, and other relevant bodies to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure. Finally, regarding the last issue, the European Council agreed that, in light of the ongoing energy crisis, efforts to reduce demand, ensure security of supply, avoid rationing, and reduce energy prices for households and businesses across the Union must be accelerated and intensified while maintaining the integrity of the Single Market.