Outcome of the European Council meeting of 20 – 21 October 2022

At their 20-21 October 2002 meeting, European Union leaders focused on Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, energy and the economy, as well as on external relations, paying specific attention to China. They reiterated the EU's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, and confirmed EU political, financial, military and humanitarian support to Ukraine. On energy, EU leaders agreed that the Council and the European Commission will 'urgently submit concrete decisions' on energy-related measures, including a gas price cap, an issue that still divides the Member States. The EU leaders also discussed means to protect critical infrastructure. During their exchange on external relations, EU leaders held a strategic discussion on relations with China, without adopting conclusions; discussed the preparation of the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit; took stock of the preparation of the upcoming United Nations-led summits on climate change and biodiversity; and condemned Iran's human rights breaches. For the seventh time in a row, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressed the European Council, stressing 'terror must lose. Ukraine and all of Europe must win'. The European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola, addressed the leaders, noting that Ukraine is defending Europe and that 'real peace can only come with justice – with a Tribunal to look into war crimes, perpetrators and restitution'.