Good morning from Brussels. Here are the stories shaping Europe this Wednesday, September 17th.
EU budget summit gets underway
EU heads of state and government are meeting in Brussels today for a special summit focused on the bloc's next long-term budget, which will run from 2028 to 2034. The talks are expected to be tense, with net contributors like Germany and the Netherlands pushing for a smaller overall envelope, while southern and eastern member states argue for maintaining cohesion and agricultural spending.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opened the session by urging leaders to prioritise investment in defence, digital resilience, and climate action. "We cannot afford to be short-sighted," she told reporters on arrival. "The decisions we take this week will determine our strategic autonomy for a decade."
Diplomats say the most contentious issue is the proposed new defence fund, which would pool resources for joint procurement and research. Several member states, including Austria and Ireland, have expressed reservations about the scope and governance of such a fund.
French police officer under investigation
In France, a police officer in Carcassonne is being probed after a video surfaced showing a violent takedown during an arrest. The footage, widely shared on social media, appears to show the officer using excessive force against a handcuffed suspect. The national police watchdog has opened an investigation, and the officer has been suspended pending the outcome.
This incident comes just days after another French police suspension linked to a video revealing racist abuse and talk of a coup. The cases have reignited debates about police accountability and the use of force in France, with civil liberties groups calling for systemic reforms.
Ukraine seeks air defence, expects Trump meeting
In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he expects to meet former US President Donald Trump by late September, as Ukraine continues to press for more air defence systems. The meeting, if confirmed, would come amid a renewed Russian missile campaign against Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine's immediate priority is to secure additional Patriot batteries and other interceptors. "Every day of delay costs lives," he said in an evening address. European allies, including Germany and the Netherlands, have pledged new deliveries, but Kyiv says the pace is still too slow.
The expected Trump meeting has raised questions about the future of US support, given Trump's past criticism of aid to Ukraine. European diplomats are watching closely, aware that any shift in Washington's stance would put more pressure on EU capitals to fill the gap.
Other stories to watch
- The European Central Bank is due to publish its monthly economic bulletin, with markets looking for clues on the next interest rate decision.
- In the Balkans, Serbia and Kosovo are set to resume EU-mediated talks in Brussels next week, focusing on the implementation of the Ohrid agreement.
- Spain's government is preparing a new housing bill aimed at curbing rent increases in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona.
For a deeper look at yesterday's developments, you can check our evening briefing from September 15 and midday bulletin from September 14.
Stay with European Pulse for updates throughout the day.
