European leaders are set to assess the rise in fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East. António Costa, President of the European Council, defines the meeting's objectives, explaining that they are focused on economic competitiveness for 2026. He states that no one can ignore the challenging times ahead and argues that the only way for Europe to become autonomous and independent is by investing more in energy. He also added that international law must be protected, referring to the situations in Lebanon and Gaza.