EUROPEAN COUNCIL: Summit Underway w/Security & Geopolitics Top Of Agenda

The October European Council summit (EUCO) is underway with foreign policy and geopolitical issues top of the agenda. A lengthy list of topics for EU leaders to discuss encompasses the war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, migration (and the controversial topic of 'return hubs'), EU competitiveness (in relation to the Draghi report), climate change, the European Semester (coordinating EU policy for the year), and foreign policy in relation to regional and global flashpoints. 

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in attendance to present the outline of his 'victory plan' for Ukraine that he outlined in the Ukrainian parliament on 16 Oct. Livestream of arrivals and doorstep comments here. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that he wants leaders to “de-block payments of the European Peace Facility and provide more military support to Ukraine.” Hungary has held up EUR6.6bn in support for Ukraine for around 18 months.
• EU tariffs on Chinese-made EVs are unlikely to be discussed as a prominent topic, but Politico notes that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has already raised the issue in his doorstep comments. "Europe has a lot of catching up to do in terms of competitiveness, especially when it comes to industry and jobs, Scholz said, adding that “tariff disputes won’t get us anywhere.” (Berlin lobbied hard (and unsuccessfully) against EU duties on cheap Chinese electric vehicles.)"