A text agreed upon by 26 EU member states was formulated after the European Council summit, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban withholding approval. Intense negotiations saw leaders converge on conclusions, with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico supporting a paragraph emphasizing enhanced cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine regarding natural gas transit issues. Following discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, leaders crafted a document strongly endorsed by 26 state and government leaders. The European Council reiterated that no negotiations can occur concerning Ukraine without its involvement or impact Europe’s security without its participation. Security guarantees for Ukraine include strong assurances to prevent future Russian aggression. Leaders also agreed to increase pressure on Russia through further sanctions while providing tactical and predictable economic support to Ukraine. In 2025, the EU will provide €30.6 billion to Ukraine, partly sourced from frozen Russian assets. Military support involves intensified efforts in delivering air defense systems, ammunition, and training for Ukrainian forces. The EU remains committed to enhancing Ukraine’s defensive capabilities as part of future security guarantees, respecting political and defense sovereignty. The Council encourages rapid progress on these initiatives, coordinating increased military support through the EU’s High Representative. Discussions with Slovakia addressed concerns about natural gas transit, calling for practical solutions considering Slovakia’s anxieties. Italy’s proposal to exclude defense expenditures from public deficit calculations was accepted, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni advocating for alternative tools like InvestEU to secure private investments.