Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the informal meeting of heads of state or government of 1 October 2025 22:40 During the press conference[...]

First of all, let me thank Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen for hosting us here in Copenhagen for this informal European Council.

Our meeting today had one core theme: safeguarding the security of our continent.

European citizens are justifiably concerned about Russia's increasingly provocative and reckless behaviour. When Denmark, Poland or Estonia act against incursions into their airspaces, they are protecting our common borders and territory, those of the European Union. They have our full support, because we are committed to face together common threats, on all fronts, whether conventional, hybrid or cyber, with a common purpose. In fact, that purpose has been clear since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine. And that purpose has a name: to build the Europe of defence.

In the past three years, European allies have significantly increased their defence spending. Earlier this year, they agreed to increase their spending targets even further. To support this effort at European level, we have put in place the SAFE instrument, worth €150 billion.

In March, European Leaders agreed on the priority capabilities on which our work should focus for the security of all Europeans: air and missile defence, artillery, drones and anti-drone systems, military mobility, cyber resilience, among others.

Today, we went one step further. I welcome the scoping paper presented by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the High Representative, Kaja Kallas. Leaders broadly supported initial priority flagship projects that will strengthen Europe's security, including the European Drone Wall and the Eastern Flank Watch. This is a key step on our path to achieving common defence readiness by 2030. It reflects the acute threat our Eastern flank is currently under. At the same time, it is clear that Europe's borders will only be secure if all of Europe's borders are secure, in a 360-degree approach.

To build the Europe of defence we need efficient political oversight and coordination to keep track on how we are advancing. Our defence ministers need to play an increased role - to push work forward between European Council meetings and to track milestones for progress.

Moving on to our discussions about Ukraine. Since 24 February 2022, the European Union has stood firmly by Ukraine's side, and we are engaged on all fronts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. A new sanctions package is on the table, targeting oil revenues, banks, crypto and the shadow fleet.

We are also paving the way for Ukraine's membership of the European Union. Ukraine has been delivering on EU accession related reforms, and the Commission has recognised this. Now it is the EU's turn to deliver. Because enlargement is a merit- based process. And because enlargement will make Europe stronger.

Finally on financing, European Leaders had today a first discussion on how to mobilise further funds for Ukraine. And the message is clear: Russia has to understand that Ukraine's partners, including its European partners, have the will and the means to continue supporting it until a just and lasting peace is achieved.

So, this is what this informal meeting today was about - to prepare decisions for the security of our continent: decisions on the Europe of defence; and decisions to strengthen support for Ukraine. In two weeks, the European Commission will present the roadmap on 2030 defence readiness and the European Council will meet again in three weeks - and that will be decision time.

Thank you, dear Mette, for offering us this opportunity, in this informal European Council, to prepare our next decisions.