Ukraine must remain top priority as Poland takes EU presidency – European Council president

António Costa, the President of the European Council, has emphasised at the opening ceremony of the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union that supporting Ukraine must remain the top priority in the near future.

Source: Interfax-Ukraine, citing Costa

Quote: "Ukraine must remain our top priority. This year we must continue to stand with Ukraine – as much as necessary, for as long as it takes, to win a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. International law must prevail, for the freedom of the Ukrainian people and for our common security."

Details: Costa stressed the need to continue prioritising defence as a strategic focus for the European Union.

Quote: "That is why I have called for an informal meeting of the European Leaders in the beginning of February, dedicated to the topic of defence."

Details: He highlighted the defence-focused priority of the Polish presidency in the Council of the EU.

Quote: "In fact, there is no better time for Polish leadership in the European Union...

The Polish people have been an inspiration and a force of resistance at a time when foreign interference threatens our democratic integrity. Because Poland has been at the forefront of Europe’s defence capabilities, that we need to develop to protect our countries, our societies, our values."

Details: Costa reiterated that the European Union was born as a peace project after World War II, saying "we need to strengthen, once again, our security to ensure peace in Europe".

Quote: "We all know that defence is crucial for the present and future of Europe, but it is only one component of our security architecture. As the programme of the Polish presidency rightly focusses, we must address it in a more integrated way."

"European economies will thrive if we assure energy independence through a network of safe interconnections, diversity of sources, reliable partners and our own production. This is why we will reduce energy prices for industry, companies and families. And how we will keep our green transition alive.

The Clean Industrial Deal, which will be presented by the European Commission during this semester, will again make clear that energy prices are a central component of the overall focus on European competitiveness."

Details: Costa also noted that investments in defence and security "can turn this sector into a real economic engine, creating better and more skilled jobs, developing a more autonomous European industry and technological champions to achieve global competitiveness".

Background: 

• Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that security, energy and competitiveness would be Poland's priorities during its presidency of the European Union, which began on 1 January 2025.
• Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has spoken about Ukraine's expectations of Poland's presidency of the European Union.

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