EU Leaders Agree on Energy Relief Measures for Winter

European Union leaders finished a two-day summit in Brussels on Friday. They agreed on measures to reduce rising energy costs. The measures aim to protect households and industry from winter price shocks. EU leaders plan to extend the temporary state aid framework. They will also delay some methane regulation rules by one year.

The EU will expand joint energy purchasing. It will group energy demand across member states. A market operator will buy energy supplies for the bloc. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke about energy sources. She stressed reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. The EU wants more nuclear power, renewables, and better power grids. Last year, the EU added 80 gigawatts of renewable capacity. However, six times more capacity is still waiting for grid connection.

The summit also covered the long-term EU budget for 2028 to 2034. Leaders still have differences over the budget proposal. Von der Leyen warned that the proposal cuts spending flexibility by 50 percent. It leaves 99.5 percent of funds predetermined. European Council President Antonio Costa said leaders want to finish budget talks by year-end.

Leaders also discussed aid for Ukraine. Costa said leaders asked for proposals to meet Kyiv's financing needs for 2027. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested another 70 billion euros. This reporting comes from Xinhua.