"Our meeting comes at a time of great global instability and insecurity, exacerbated most recently by developments in the Middle East," the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, said in a statement announcing the summit.
"These developments require our immediate attention, without distracting us from our continued support to Ukraine," he added.
The European Council is an EU institution that sets out the bloc’s priorities. It consists of the heads of state or government of member countries, together with its president and the head of the European Commission.
European Council President Charles Michel. Photo: EPA/STEPHANIE LECOCQ
The Polish Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet that the Brussels summit on Thursday and Friday would also focus on issues such as migration and the EU budget.
Poland last week condemned civilian deaths in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and called on all sides to de-escalate the conflict in the Middle East.
EU leaders earlier this month condemned Hamas attacks on Israel and backed Israel’s right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law.
The Israel-Hamas war began when the Palestinian organisation Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza on October 7, according to media reports.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Thursday is day 610 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
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Source: IAR, PAP