EU leaders gather in Brussels on Thursday for a two-day summit to hash out the bloc’s most pressing economic and geopolitical challenges.

First up is the question of competitiveness and trade, as governments weigh how to respond to growing pressure from China and concerns that European companies are losing ground in key industries. Leaders are expected to discuss ways to strengthen the single market and boost investment in sectors seen as critical to Europe’s future.

Ukraine, the Middle East and defense will also feature prominently on the agenda. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to address leaders as Kyiv pushes to advance its EU membership bid and maintain support from European capitals.

Friday’s discussions will turn to the EU’s next seven-year budget, where governments remain divided over how spending should be allocated between traditional priorities such as agriculture and regional funding, and newer demands including defense, competitiveness and economic security.

The summit will also be the first since leadership changes in four EU countries, including Hungary and Bulgaria, reshuffled the political arithmetic around the European Council table.

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